From:	The Doctor <dklugh AT iwaynet DOT net>
Newsgroups:	comp.os.msdos,comp.os.msdos.djgpp,comp.os.ms-windows.win95
Subject:	Re: Looking for help with MSDOS AUTOEXEC & CONFIG
Date:	Sat, 16 May 1998 04:12:38 -0400
Lines:	57
Message-ID:	<355D4A76.49E7F1BC@iwaynet.net>
References:	<355ac9a8 DOT 0 AT scooby DOT nildram DOT co DOT uk>
NNTP-Posting-Host:	port693.iwaynet.net
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To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
DJ-Gateway:	from newsgroup comp.os.msdos.djgpp

Graeme Fenwick wrote:
> 
> I'm having a few problems finding out stuff about MSDOS apps under Win95, as
> my previous experience of MSDOS is fairly limited. Can anyone out there help
> me with the following questions? (You don't have to answer them all if you
> don't want to!)
> 
> 1) What are the differences between "genuine" MSDOS, Win95's DOS in a window
> (via Start menu) and rebooting Win95 into MSDOS mode?

Well when Win95 is running most system calls get re-directed to the
Windows 95 DOS.Non-DOS calls (like time/date calls) are still answered
by MS-DOS.This applies to normal and Win16 programmes.Win32c and Win32
programmes use a entirely different interface.So

> 2) Do books on the newer MSDOSs apply to DOS under W95 in general?

I don't know about MS-DOS 7 but the COMMAND that comes with it is not
fully compatible with earlier COMMANDs in regards to batch files.
 
> 3) AUTOEXEC.BAT is a file that simply executes the list of commands
> contained within on booting, or running the DOS window- right (or wrong)?
> And assuming I haven't configured a special DOS shortcut with its own
> AUTOEXEC, does it run for all DOS Windows when launched?

It only runs when COMMAND is invoked with the "/P" option.

> And I'm guessing CONFIG.SYS tells the system where to find any device
> drivers...

And many other things like memory servers and MS-DOS configuration.Type
"HELP CONFIG.SYS" for more help.
 
> 4) Does SET PATH tell DOS where to search for a certain command, say gcc,
> and if so, how do I get DOS to look in two different paths for a program
> (since it seems I can't do two SET PATHs)?
> I've got this line in my AUTOEXEC.BAT file...
>   set PATH=C:\NUPROGS\DJGPP\BIN\GNU\EMACS\BIN;%PATH%
> but I'd like to have emacs on the path
>     C:\NUPROGS\djgpp\gnu\emacs
> running.

Actually both MS-DOS and the Windows 95 DOS ignore eniviroment variables
completely except to copy them to child programmes.
(assuming that the 95 DOS handles those kinds of calls)
It's COMMAND that actually deals with the path. 
The example you show should work.
(the second percent sign is not needed,though)

> Sorry if this seems like an awful lot of questions in one go!
> You've probably guessed by now that I'm no expert at DOS....

The HELP command should answer all your (non-technical) questions.
(assuming the fucked up MS-DOS 7 distribution includes it.I heard that
DEBUG is left out!!!)

> -Graeme Fenwick

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