WINDOWS related utils for DOS users.

Back to Front Page

global menu:



COMMAND LINE EMULATION

The programs listed below were designed to cater to the DOS command line user in a Win31 or Win9x environment. These programs allow launching of either DOS or Win apps from their respective command line interfaces.


1. SmilerShell Lite- A simple DOS command line for Win3.1

* * *

SmilerShell Lite (SSL) is a simple command line that uses little screen space. Win or DOS apps can be launched from SSL's command line. DOS programs can be launched full screen or within DOS boxes. SSL implements a searchable command history buffer but does not include enhanced directory changing, filename completion, or command alias features (these are available in a shareware version). Commands can be saved between sessions and frequently used commands can be added to the *.ini file

Supported Internal DOS Commands: CD, CHDIR, COPY, DATE, DEL, DIR, ERASE, MD, MKDIR, PATH, REN, RENAME, RD, RMDIR, TIME, TYPE, VOL. Semi-supported Internal DOS Commands: CHCP, SET, PATH, VER. Unsupported Internal DOS Commands: CLS, CTTY, EXIT, PROMPT, VERIFY and the batch file commands.

Available only from ZDNet/ZiffNet. Author: Barry Smiler /Bardon Data Systems. (1994)

Go to download page for zsmlte.zip (64K)


2. Imposter- DOS emulator for Win3.1

* * *

Imposter is an older Win3.1 app that mimics a DOS window. The customizable interface loads faster than a true DOS box and uses fewer resources. Unfortunately, there is no scrollback buffer built into Imposter, but you can customize screen dimensions (lines and columns).

The following is a summary of all internal commands Imposter supports. Internal DOS commands are emulated- don't expect the syntax and/or output to match that of your DOS version. Additional commands specific to Imposter are also listed below.

ATTRIB/ATTR, BREAK, CDD, CHDIR/CD, CLS, COPY, DATE, DATECOPY, DEJUNK, DETAB, DIR, ENTAB, ERASE/DEL, DUMP, EXIT FIND, FF, FS, HELP, KEYSTUFF, LABEL, MAX, MEM, MIN, MKDIR/MD, MORE, MOVE/RED, NUKE, PATH, PROMPT, RENAME/REN, RENDIR, RMDIR/RD, SET, SORT, TIME, TOUCH, TREE, TS, TYPE, VER, VERIFY, VOL, WINDOW/WIN, XCOPY

Author: D. Burgan. (1992)

download imposter.zip (139K)


Zoomshell- GUI command shell for Win9x.

unrated [added 11-07-99]

A relatively sophisticated command shell which supports command line history, filename auto-completion, command aliases, and even scripting. Pre-built aliases for many unix commands, and grep capability. Command output window has a scrollback buffer.

See home page


OTHER . . .


PFE- Win text editor can capture DOS standard output to editing window.

* * * * * [added 3-4-98; updated 2-7-99]

PFE is one of the finest freeware Windows applications I've run across. It admirably serves a dual role as programmer's editor and general purpose text editor. PFE is especially attractive to DOS users because it can capture DOS standard output to an editing window (e.g., external/ internal DOS commands ). I often use PFE to capture help screen output for inclusion in program descriptions. Excellent help file included. Author: Alan Phillips, UK. (1999). Suggested by Bjorn Simonsen.

11-01-99: development has ended.


DOSBAR- Add system menu toolbar to DOS windows (WIN 3.1).

* * * *

DosBar adds a toolbar to any DOS window. The toolbar gives you easy access to the mark, copy, paste, font settings, full screen mode, and other DOS settings accessed from the system menu of a DOS window. Dosbar is configurable (buttons displayed, button order, size and placement of toolbar).

Available toolbar commands:

Mark, Copy, Paste, Enlarge Font, Reduce Font, Change Font, Full Screen, Maximize Window, Minimize window, Close Window, Scroll, Switch To, Dosbar Configuration.

Author: Andreas Furrer. (1995).

download dosbr143.zip (26K)


Sched and RUN- Run Win3.x app from DOS window (WIN 3.1).

* * *

Sched is a Windows 3.1 TSR that must be running prior to using Run at the command prompt. You simply type " Run mywinapp" and it will launch the Win program. You can also feed parameters to your Win apps and start them minimized. If Windows is not running, "win command [parameters]" will be executed. Note: Windows must be running in 386 enhanced mode.

Author: Frits Wiarda. (1992) Holland.

download run18.zip (23K)


WOAFON- Additional fonts for Windows DOS boxes (WIN 3.1).

* * *

From the docs..."Windows 3.1 introduced the ability to change the fonts for DOS boxes via a "Fonts..." item in the system menu. This gives you a variety of font sizes, namely 4x6, 5x12, 6x8, 7x12, 8x8, 8x12, 10x18, 12x16, 16x8 and 16x12. However, there is a significant gap between 8x12 (very small on 1024x768) and 10x18 (quite large, not usable if the DOS box has 43 or 50 lines). The fonts in WOAFON14.ZIP fit nicely into this gap: Their sizes are 9x10, 9x11, 9x16 (two fonts), 10x12 and 10x13." Author: Peter Karrer. Switzerland. (1993)

download woafon14.zip (23K) link updated 2-7-99


WCLIP- (DOS) Redirect text to Win3/9x clipboard from STDIN or from clipboard to STDOUT.

unrated [added 3-16-99; updated 06-15-99]

When working in a DOS box, many use the text mark and copy functions of the DOS box system menu to transfer a command's output to the Windows clipboard. One limitation of this approach is that only a single screen of text can be copied at a time. If command output exceeds 25-50 lines, transfers to the clipboard may require several "mark-copy" steps. WCLIP is a tiny program that offers a simple solution: any output which can be redirected or piped is transfered directly to the Win3x/95 clipboard., E.g.,

   dir| wclip 
   wclip < some.txt

Wclip can alternatively read the contents of the clipboard (text only), and direct it to STDOUT (e.g., screen or file), e.g.,

wclip read >> file.ext

Usage:

WCLIP [SEND]  - to clipboard from STDIN (default mode)
WCLIP RECEIVE - from clipboard to STDOUT

SEND options:
        /A  append (default: overwrite)
        /T  T-pipe to STDOUT

RECEIVE option:
        /C  append CR+LF at end, if missing

New in v2.1 (6-99): "OEM character set handling (option /E is obsolete)".

Author: Horst Schaeffer, Germany (1999).

download wclip21.zip (3K)


[ Go to Top | Front Page ]

© 1994-1999. Rich Green