JoeNo1’s Blog – IT, guitar, life … from my point of view

“Tab” key is the most useful and powerful key under DOS console in MS Windows XP.

This key is simply a DOS version of “Lazy Susan”. It saves you a lot of typing. Especially, it rescues you from typing errors and frustration. 

If you get used to use “doskey.exe” under DOS console, you might also love to use “Tab” key.

Doskey is a default function loaded under Dos console in MS Windows XP. You can use up and down arrow key to roll back and forth from a list of commands you have entered in the past. 

Tab is also a default function loaded under the same environment. You can use the “Tab” key to roll through the names of the files and directories (folders) under your current directory.

Before I show you an example, let’s locate this useful key first.

Here are some screen shots from my computer:

1, use “dir/a” to display all files and directories under my root directory of C drive, including H & S attribute files & directories.

2, press “Tab” key once. The 1st item appears.

If I press “Enter” key, it will execute file AUTOEXEC.BAT.

3, press “Tab” key again, The 2nd item appears. Note that boot.ini has S, H, R attributes.

If I press “Enter” key, it will open boot.ini file with Windows Notepad.

4, when there are more than one word within the name of a file or directory, the file or directory name will be double quoted.

5, use “Tab” key to get into a long-named directory is a piece of cake. Type in “cd” and a space, then Tab to roll to the right directory. The directory name is autofilled. Press Enter. I’m in. No typing hassle!

The worst case scenario, if hundreds of files and directories need to be roll through, it will be a nightmare.

To solve this problem, here is a nice hint.

I know a directory call “document” something. I just need to type the first letter or the first few letters of this directory.

Then I press Tab. The name that matches the first letter(s) is auto completed.

This is nice & neat!