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{{Short description|File manager}}
{{unreferenced|date=July 2009}}
{{refimprove|date=April 2019}}
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{{Infobox OS component
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022|cs1-dates=y}}
| name =DOS Shell
{{Use list-defined references|date=January 2022}}
| os =[[MS-DOS]] and [[IBM PC DOS]]
⚫
{{Infobox software
| screenshot =DOS Shell Screen.png
| caption =
| name = DOS Shell
| other_names =
| screenshot = DOS Shell Screen.png
| screenshot_size = 300px
| type =[[File manager]]
| service_name =
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1988|06}}
| service_description =
| replaced_by = [[File Manager (Windows)|File Manager]], [[Windows Explorer]]
| included_with =[[MS-DOS]] 4.0 and 5.0
| also_available_for =[[MS-DOS]] 6.0, 6.2 and 6.22
| operating system = [[MS-DOS]] and [[PC DOS]]
| replaces =
| platform = [[x86]]
| replaced_by =[[File Manager (Windows)|File Manager]], [[Windows Explorer]]
| genre = [[File manager]]
| license = [[Commercial software]]
| support_status =
| related_components =
}}
}}
'''DOS Shell''' is a [[file manager]], debuted in [[MS-DOS]] and [[IBM PC DOS]] v4.0 (June 1988). It was discontinued in MS-DOS v6.0, but remained part of the "Supplemental Disk" until v6.22 (the last independent retail version of MS-DOS). It was, however, retained in PC DOS through [[PC DOS 2000]].
'''DOS Shell''' is a [[file manager]] that debuted in [[MS-DOS]] and [[PC DOS]] version 4.0, released in June 1988. It was no longer included in MS-DOS version 6, but remained part of the Supplemental Disk. The Supplemental Disk could be ordered or could be downloaded through Microsoft's [[File Transfer Protocol|FTP]] server. DOS Shell was retained in PC DOS until [[PC DOS 2000]].


==Overview==
DOS Shell was one of the first successful attempts to create a basic [[graphical user interface]] (GUI) type file manager in DOS, although it is properly referred to as a [[text user interface]] (TUI) or [[Character Oriented Windows]] (COW) even though graphical modes were available on supported hardware (VGA equipped PCs). It was additionally one of the first GUIs developed by Microsoft, and later inspired the design of [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]. The shell is very much like a DOS version of [[File Manager (Windows)|File Manager]] found in early versions of Windows, before the adoption of the [[taskbar]] and [[start menu]].
DOS Shell was one of the first successful attempts to create a basic [[graphical user interface]] (GUI) type file manager in DOS, although it is properly referred to as a [[text user interface]] (TUI) or Character-Oriented Windows (COW) even though graphical modes were available on supported hardware ([[Video Graphics Array|VGA]]-equipped PCs). The shell is very much like a DOS version of [[File Manager (Windows)|File Manager]] found in Windows up to versions [[Windows 3.11|3.11]] and [[Windows NT 3.51|NT 3.51]], and [[File Explorer]] on later versions.

An early incarnation of DOS Shell, titled [[MS-DOS Manager]], was bundled exclusively with the [[Zenith Eazy PC|Eazy PC]], an IBM PC clone manufactured by [[Zenith Data Systems]] in 1987.<ref name="Mace_1987"/>

In MS-DOS 4.x and 5.x, the program was implemented as [[COM file]] (<code>DOSSHELL.COM</code>). In MS-DOS 6 the executable had an [[.EXE]] [[filename extension]] (<code>DOSSHELL.EXE</code>).<ref name="Hope_2018"/>


==Features==
==Features==
The shell includes common features seen in other file managers such as copying, moving and renaming files as well as the ability to "launch" applications with a [[double-click (computing)|double-click]]. The shell could be run by the [[command (computing)|command]] "<code>DOSSHELL</code>". It had the ability to set simple colours and styles.
The shell includes common features seen in other file managers such as copying, moving and renaming files as well as the ability to launch applications with a [[double-click (computing)|double-click]]. The shell could be run by the [[command (computing)|command]] "<code>DOSSHELL</code>". It had the ability to set simple colours and styles.


The shell also has a help system, "program list", and a "task swapper". Like many modern file managers, it had the ability to display dual [[hierarchy]] directory and file lists, i.e. left and right [[Paned window|panes]], displaying both a list of directory contents and the hierarchical file path to the current working directory. The [[Computer mouse|mouse]] was supported, however, like any other DOS application, it required an appropriate [[device driver]].
The shell also has a help system, a program list, and a task swapper. Like many modern file managers, it had the ability to display dual [[hierarchy]] directory and file lists, i.e. left and right [[paned window (computing)|panes]], displaying both a list of directory contents and the hierarchical file path to the current working directory. A [[computer mouse|mouse]] was supported, however, like any other DOS application, it required an appropriate [[device driver]].


One feature was the ability to list all files on a hard drive in a single alphabetized list along with the path and other attributes. This permitted the user to compare versions of a file in different directories by their attributes and easily spot duplicates.
One feature was the ability to list all files on a hard drive in a single alphabetized list along with the path and other attributes. This permitted the user to compare versions of a file in different directories by their attributes and easily spot duplicates.


==Shortcomings==
==Shortcomings==
DOS Shell was incapable of full [[computer multitasking|multitasking]]. It supported rudimentary task switching; it could switch between programs running in [[random-access memory|memory]], at the cost of performance hit. However, all the running programs had to fit into [[conventional memory]] area, as there was no support for [[paging]] to disk. (Programs with DOS extenders such as [[DOS/4GW]] were immune to this issue as DOS/4GW spared conventional memory from overflow.)
DOS Shell was incapable of full [[computer multitasking|multitasking]]. It supported rudimentary task switching; it could switch between programs running in [[random-access memory|memory]], at the cost of performance hit. However, all the running programs had to fit into [[conventional memory]] area, as there was no support for [[swapping (computing)|swapping]] to disk.


In time, [[Windows 3.1x]], with its own graphical user interface, became much more popular among computer users. Windows was capable of multitasking. System performance was much higher, with complete access to the system's memory.
In time, [[Windows 3.1x]], with its own graphical user interface, became much more popular among computer users. Windows was capable of multitasking. System performance was much higher, with complete access to [[extended memory]].


==See also==
==See also==
* [[ViewMAX]] – the equivalent component in DR&nbsp;DOS
{{Portal|Computing}}
* [[XTree]] was more popular than DOS Shell
*[[Comparison of file managers]]
* [[Comparison of file managers]]
* [[COMMAND.COM]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Mace_1987">{{cite journal |author-last=Mace |author-first=Scott |title=Zenith Eazy PC Includes DOS Shell by Microsoft |date=1987-06-08 |journal=[[InfoWorld]] |publisher=[[IDG Communications]] |volume=9 |issue=23 |issn=0199-6649 |page=5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0TAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA7 |access-date=2022-01-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128185544/https://books.google.de/books?id=0TAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA7&redir_esc=y |archive-date=2022-01-28}}</ref>
<ref name="Hope_2018">{{cite web |title=MS-DOS and Windows command line dosshell command |work=Computer Hope |date=2018-11-13 |url=https://www.computerhope.com/dosshell.htm |access-date=2022-01-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126013544/https://www.computerhope.com/dosshell.htm |archive-date=2021-01-26}}</ref>
}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=Using MS-DOS 6.22 |author-last=Cooper |author-first=Jim |edition=Special third |date=2001 |publisher=[[Que Publishing]] |isbn=978-0789725738}}
* {{cite book |author-last=Wolverton |author-first=Van |title=MS-DOS Commands: Microsoft Quick Reference |edition=4th revised |date=1990 |publisher=[[Microsoft Press]] |isbn=978-1-55615289-4}}

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{{File managers}}


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[[Category:DOS software]]
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{{file managers}}
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[[Category:DOS on IBM PC compatibles]]
[[Category:File managers]]
[[Category:File managers]]

Revision as of 17:59, 5 April 2024

DOS Shell
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseJune 1988; 36 years ago (1988-06)
Operating systemMS-DOS and PC DOS
Platformx86
SuccessorFile Manager, Windows Explorer
TypeFile manager
LicenseCommercial software

DOS Shell is a file manager that debuted in MS-DOS and PC DOS version 4.0, released in June 1988. It was no longer included in MS-DOS version 6, but remained part of the Supplemental Disk. The Supplemental Disk could be ordered or could be downloaded through Microsoft's FTP server. DOS Shell was retained in PC DOS until PC DOS 2000.

Overview

DOS Shell was one of the first successful attempts to create a basic graphical user interface (GUI) type file manager in DOS, although it is properly referred to as a text user interface (TUI) or Character-Oriented Windows (COW) even though graphical modes were available on supported hardware (VGA-equipped PCs). The shell is very much like a DOS version of File Manager found in Windows up to versions 3.11 and NT 3.51, and File Explorer on later versions.

An early incarnation of DOS Shell, titled MS-DOS Manager, was bundled exclusively with the Eazy PC, an IBM PC clone manufactured by Zenith Data Systems in 1987.[1]

In MS-DOS 4.x and 5.x, the program was implemented as COM file (DOSSHELL.COM). In MS-DOS 6 the executable had an .EXE filename extension (DOSSHELL.EXE).[2]

Features

The shell includes common features seen in other file managers such as copying, moving and renaming files as well as the ability to launch applications with a double-click. The shell could be run by the command "DOSSHELL". It had the ability to set simple colours and styles.

The shell also has a help system, a program list, and a task swapper. Like many modern file managers, it had the ability to display dual hierarchy directory and file lists, i.e. left and right panes, displaying both a list of directory contents and the hierarchical file path to the current working directory. A mouse was supported, however, like any other DOS application, it required an appropriate device driver.

One feature was the ability to list all files on a hard drive in a single alphabetized list along with the path and other attributes. This permitted the user to compare versions of a file in different directories by their attributes and easily spot duplicates.

Shortcomings

DOS Shell was incapable of full multitasking. It supported rudimentary task switching; it could switch between programs running in memory, at the cost of performance hit. However, all the running programs had to fit into conventional memory area, as there was no support for swapping to disk.

In time, Windows 3.1x, with its own graphical user interface, became much more popular among computer users. Windows was capable of multitasking. System performance was much higher, with complete access to extended memory.

See also

References

  1. ^ Mace, Scott (1987-06-08). "Zenith Eazy PC Includes DOS Shell by Microsoft". InfoWorld. 9 (23). IDG Communications: 5. ISSN 0199-6649. Archived from the original on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  2. ^ "MS-DOS and Windows command line dosshell command". Computer Hope. 2018-11-13. Archived from the original on 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2022-01-28.

Further reading

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=DOS_Shell&oldid=1217414435"