DOS prompt
Text-based interface
The DOS prompt is the command-line interface in MS-DOS and early Windows systems, displaying a text cursor where users type commands directly.
The classic appearance—typically C:\> followed by a blinking cursor—became iconic of personal computing before graphical interfaces dominated.
The prompt indicates the system is ready to receive instructions: At the DOS prompt, type DIR to list files.
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- cursorOn-screen position indicator
- directoryFile system container
- file managerSoftware organizing stored documents
- operating systemSoftware managing computer resources
terminal · blinking · text cursor · black screen · cd · batch file · floppy disk · boot disk · path · autoexec · Norton · execute · keyboard · monochrome · shell · system · boot · BIOS
- command linebash, CLI, console, command, cd
- DOS Computingcommand line, CONFIG.SYS, batch file, batch files, boot disk
- text interfacescommand line, console, CLI, terminal, cursor
- Text Terminalconsole, TTY, command line, CLI, cursor
- shellsseashells, sea shells, shell, clam, oyster
DOS promptgraphical user interface
Visual computing interaction layer
GUI · touchscreen interface · desktop environment · voice interface · touch interface
DOS promptWindows 11
Current Microsoft desktop OS
macOS · iOS · Android · tablet computing · cloud computing
DOS, prompt, prompts, prompted, prompting, prompter, promptly, promptness