Solved What is MS-DOS for, today?

Derek March 30, 2015 at 07:54:21

✔ Best Answer

I guess a few folk still use it as an operating system - we have an MS/PC-DOS forum. It is what was used before Windows, although earlier systems such as Windows 95/98 ran on DOS. With later systems, such as Windows XP onwards, they were effectively their own DOS (Disk Operating System). On Windows an MS-DOS emulator, known as Command Prompt is used to perform specific tasks, rather than true DOS. These are often scripts which are either small, or where there is no suitable Windows program available. Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks message edited by Derek

IVO March 30, 2015 at 08:45:37

On modern systems DOS is no more able to run natively since up to date hard disks and USB ports did not exist at the time it was developed and supported. However using virtual machines or emulators like DOSbox it can run old games for people loving Eighties, under modern operating systems. Out of the realm of nostalgia I can assure it is still used to collect data from scientific instrumentation and to drive manifacturing machinery where it essential architecture is a plus on the bloated Windows. @Derek, I know you are a fan of tram cars, don't you, so take a look at the following web page http://www.mondotram.it/filobustier... Translate it by Google, it is the Renon railway, a tramcar running since 1907 in Sud Tirol (today Italy), at 1200 meters on a flat mountain where I have a cottage.

Derek March 30, 2015 at 10:01:09

@IVO Yes indeed a quaint interest of mine, helped because I can remember the last years of the UK oldies when they were still in service. Interesting read, translated surprisingly well too. I envy your location (not just because of the trams) - it sounds like a great place to live. Thanks for thinking of me. Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks

IVO March 30, 2015 at 10:25:32

@Derek Yes, Oberbozen-Soprabolzano - Renon - is a great place that offers great quiet and where you can enjoy nature. However I live in Milano, the city of fashion, and finance that loves to resemble New York!

Derek March 30, 2015 at 11:29:42

@IVO Oh well, you have to balance the good with the bad in all shades of life - still sounds pretty good tho. Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks

DOS has importance as a command line fix-it for Windows. It is different from the old DOS, but it is still required in a forum like this to aid people in navigating it. Unlike yesteryear, navigating DOS is something that rarely known by people. Even experts have to look stuff up.

DOS is still used on the Easy2Touch computers in restaurants, although they auto-start-up a program, & so not seen.

MS-DOS allows the user to navigate, open and otherwise manipulate files on their computer from a command line instead of a GUI like Windows. Today, MS-DOS is no longer used; however, the command shell, more commonly known as the Windows command line is still used by many users.

Derek March 4, 2016 at 07:15:26

RonWesley I trust you realise this question was posted on 30 March 2015. I would be surprised if the poster is still watching. Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks