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From: tony@mantis.co.uk (Tony Lezard)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Re: 4DOS vs. COMMAND.COM (sigh)
Message-ID: <6HaBX2w163w@mantis.co.uk>
Date: 13 Feb 91 14:38:04 GMT
References: <2uB8w1@moocow.uucp>
Organization: Mantis Consultants, Cambridge. UK.
Lines: 52

george@moocow.uucp (George Tirebiter) writes:

> I've been seeing a number of posts where a replacement for COMMAND.COM
> called 4DOS is mentioned.  Has anybody had any positive or negative
> experiences they'd like to share?  Is 4DOS more than a command-line
> recall and batch file enhancer?  What's the latest version?

I'm funning 4DOS version 3.02a and have nothing but praise for 4DOS. I've
never seen anyone on the net grumbling about it either. I haven't found
anything it's not compatible with.

It is more than "a command-line recall and batch file enhancer" but it can
be used as such if you want to.

Here's a list of notable features, lifted from my 4DOS manual:

* Minimal memory usage (less than 4K RAM (less than 1K with XMS swapping))
  Can use EMS, XMS or disk swapping for transient portion.

* Fast batch files (.BTM "Batch To Memory" files)

* Executable extensions (eg typing a document name could start its editor.)

* On-line help. Good too.

* Command line editing and history. Very useful.

* Better wildcarding (eg *A*.* matches anything with an A in it)

* File descriptions (Up to 40 chars of description displayed after each
  filename when you do a DIR.)

* Multiple commands on a single line (Separated by ^)

* Can use environment variables much more flexibly

* Command aliases (also supporting multiple commands, batch file-like
  arguments (%1, %2 etc))

* 255 chars command line

* Additional redirection options (T and Y "pipe fittings")

* EGA/VGA support.

And it's also shareware so you can try it out for a few weeks without paying
to see if you like it.

--
Tony Lezard.  E-mail: tony@mantis.co.uk, Snail: Mantis Consultants,
Unit 56, St. John's Innovation Centre, Cambridge, CB4 4WS, United Kingdom.
Voice: +44 223 421094.  Most appropriate anagram of name: Lazy Rodent.