Is there any software that adds extra features to the DOS command line?

[CamTron]

One thing that's a bit annoying when using the command-line on DOS/Win9x is that there's no tab completion or command-line history (except that you can left-arrow to retype your last command, which isn't all that useful). Most shells including bash and Windows NT CMD allow you to use the Tab key to autocomplete filenames and allow you to scroll through your command-line history using the arrow keys. Also, the buffer size is 50 lines max, which is very small. I'm wondering if there's any software available which can provide these missing features to the DOS command line and make it easier to use.

[jaclaz]

You mean like doskey.com, only better?

Here:

http://paulhoule.com/doskey/

Or you may want to try the Win2K Cmd.exe version for Windows 95 with or without consize:

http://cygutils.fruitbat.org/consize/

and*or check here for more:

https://www.4dos.info/dtools.htm

(and also migrating to 4DOS wouldn't be a bad idea), the frereware and opensource versions can be found here:

https://www.4dos.info/v4dos.htm

jaclaz

Edited May 28, 2017 by jaclaz

[CamTron]

Oh, nice! In all my years of using Windows, I never once knew about DOSKEY. This version has tab completion which will help a lot. I'll also check out those other tools.
I did also find a bash shell for Windows that doesn't depend on Cygwin or MSYS, and it works pretty well. http://win-bash.sourceforge.net/
Has anyone gotten any version of Git to run on Windows 9x?

Edited May 28, 2017 by CamTron

[loblo]

I have an msys version of git running fine here. I couldn't run more recent versions based on msys2 when I tried.

Nice thing is I can use Mintty which gives me, command history, copy/paste, drag&drop, color scheme and 10.000 lines or more scrollback buffer, etc, you can't run command.com in it however but win95cmd.exe runs just fine in it as most console programs do, generic Mintty issues apply of course.

Edited May 28, 2017 by loblo
blah

[98SE]

On Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 7:51 AM, CamTron said:

Oh, nice! In all my years of using Windows, I never once knew about DOSKEY. This version has tab completion which will help a lot. I'll also check out those other tools.
I did also find a bash shell for Windows that doesn't depend on Cygwin or MSYS, and it works pretty well. http://win-bash.sourceforge.net/
Has anyone gotten any version of Git to run on Windows 9x?

DOSKEY is probably the most useful one that I came across only to retype a previous command.  But what is so hard about using DOS? 

Just keep doing the commands over and over and it becomes second nature.  Plus it'll up your keyboard WPM.

If you are tired of typing certain commands to run a program with command line switches then create a batch file and use a short filename to run it.

.

For example made up program.

C:\> Prince /adlib /v800 /sb /i5

.

Either use EDIT command and type that in and save as "P.BAT"

so when you type P at the command prompt it will type all that for you.

you can use COPY CON P.BAT

type the program commands here

hit F6 key or Ctrl-Z and enter to save the batch file.

Remember to move the batch file to the directory of your program.

Copy P.Bat to C:\PRINCE

or

Move P.Bat to C:\PRINCE

.

However you could make the program go into your PRINCE subdirectory

say the DOS program was located in the PRINCE directory of your C:

.

The P.Bat file could have this inside it:

C:

CD\PRINCE

Prince /adlib /v800 /sb /i5

CD\

.

That will do all the work for you in one stroke of the "P" key.

.

Another way is using a Front End ASCII GUI but that would use more conventional memory which some DOS programs can be uptight about and won't run.

.

[CamTron]

On 5/28/2017 at 2:48 PM, loblo said:

I have an msys version of git running fine here. I couldn't run more recent versions based on msys2 when I tried.

Nice thing is I can use Mintty which gives me, command history, copy/paste, drag&drop, color scheme and 10.000 lines or more scrollback buffer, etc, you can't run command.com in it however but win95cmd.exe runs just fine in it as most console programs do, generic Mintty issues apply of course.

What version of Git are you using, may I ask? Does it require any KernelEx tweaks?

[loblo]

I have 1.9.5-preview20150319 installed but git.exe itself doesn't seem to work in fact (I thought it did) as it uses pipes, maybe older version would, I am not sure. I use it as a bash/msys environment with added mintty.