DOS (V6.3) Commands – Selecting file attributes for use with the DIR *.extn command

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

Hi – Anyone out there with a knowledge of the old DOS commands? I have a number of DOS files on my workshop computer (W98) having a file extension .CON which I would like to be able to display in date order. Reference to the manuals indicate that the generic command DIR *.CON can be modified by a /switch attribute which I can get working when using /p (to display one screen at a time) but have not been able to get the /d attribute working in order to display the files in date order. Any suggestions as to where I am going wrong?.

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

dir *.con /od

Edit – if you type any DOS command with the /? switch, it lists all available options e.g. dir /?

Rob

Edited By Grindstone Cowboy on 15/04/2022 14:23:27

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Greensands on 15/04/2022 14:06:50:

… I have a number of DOS files on my workshop computer (W98) having a file extension .CON which I would like to be able to display in date order. Reference to the manuals indicate that the generic command DIR *.CON can be modified by a /switch attribute which I can get working when using /p (to display one screen at a time) but have not been able to get the /d attribute working in order to display the files in date order. Any suggestions as to where I am going wrong?.

Microsoft changed DIR slightly with every release! This website seems to cover all the variations.

Try

DIR *.CON /O:D

or, to reverse the order

DIR *.CON /O:-D

/T controls which datetime is used by the sort if the default isn't what's wanted. TC=create; TA=last read; TW=last write

Dave

[GordonHParticipant @gordonh]

Greensands,

Open up a DOS Shell by typing "cmd" (without the " symbols) in the search window then press enter.. The Dos pop up window will open. Typing "Help " followed by any command name, will display format of the command and the switches which can be used.

One useful switch that is not listed is the > character followed by a file name. This will divert the screen output into the named file, a very useful feature

Gordon

Below is an example from Windows 10, I added the last line to show the piping command:-

C:Usersgordo>help dir
Displays a list of files and subdirectories in a directory.

DIR [drive:][path][filename] [/A[[:]attributes]] [/B] [/C] [/D] [/L] [/N]
[/O[[:]sortorder]] [/P] [/Q] [/R] [/S] [/T[[:]timefield]] [/W] [/X] [/4]

[drive:][path][filename]
Specifies drive, directory, and/or files to list.

/A Displays files with specified attributes.
attributes D Directories R Read-only files
H Hidden files A Files ready for archiving
S System files I Not content indexed files
L Reparse Points O Offline files
– Prefix meaning not
/B Uses bare format (no heading information or summary).
/C Display the thousand separator in file sizes. This is the
default. Use /-C to disable display of separator.
/D Same as wide but files are list sorted by column.
/L Uses lowercase.
/N New long list format where filenames are on the far right.
/O List by files in sorted order.
sortorder N By name (alphabetic) S By size (smallest first)
E By extension (alphabetic) D By date/time (oldest first)
G Group directories first – Prefix to reverse order
/P Pauses after each screenful of information.
/Q Display the owner of the file.
/R Display alternate data streams of the file.
/S Displays files in specified directory and all subdirectories.
/T Controls which time field displayed or used for sorting
timefield C Creation
A Last Access
W Last Written
/W Uses wide list format.
/X This displays the short names generated for non-8dot3 file
names. The format is that of /N with the short name inserted
before the long name. If no short name is present, blanks are
displayed in its place.
/4 Displays four-digit years

Switches may be preset in the DIRCMD environment variable. Override
preset switches by prefixing any switch with – (hyphen)–for example, /-W.

C:Usersgordo>help dir >help.txt

Edited By GordonH on 15/04/2022 14:39:18

Edited By GordonH on 15/04/2022 14:41:03

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

Yes, I now have success!. Many thanks GC and SOD

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I seem to have a residual bit of fluff in my head which says FAT32 was date orientated and NTSF was alphabetic

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