APPEND
Type: External (3.3 and later)
Syntax:
APPEND
APPEND ;
APPEND [d:]path[;][d:]path[...]
APPEND [/X:on|off][/path:on|off][/E]
Purpose: Sets the path to be searched for data files or displays
the
current search path.
Discussion
The APPEND command is new to DOS with Versions 3.3 and later. It gives
you a way to set the search path for data files.
The APPEND command is similar to the PATH command that tells DOS where to
search for program files (files with a .COM, .EXE, or .BAT filename
extension). The APPEND command guides the search for data files (such as
text files).
NOTE:
If a file with a .COM, .EXE, or .BAT filename extension is to be treated
as a data file (for example, if you want to edit the contents of a batch
file), its path CAN be specified using the APPEND command. However, if
you want to execute the file from any directory, you must specify its
location using the PATH command.
Use the APPEND command without options to display the current search
path.
Using APPEND followed only by a space and a semicolon (APPEND ;) deletes
previously appended search paths. DOS will then search for data files
only on the current drive and directory.
Use the APPEND command to tell DOS where to search for data files if a
specified file is not found in the current directory. This means that you
will need only one copy of a file on your fixed disk, even if you use it
for different purposes. For example, you can store a copy of the file
NAMES1.TXT in the directory LISTS and use it (copy from it, insert it into
other files) while working in any drive or directory.
Invalid drive designations will not be detected until DOS attempts to use
the search path to find a specified file.
Once APPEND has been loaded into memory, you can re-enter the APPEND
command to change the specifications from any drive or directory.
The APPEND command CAN be used on a network.
NOTE:
If you have used APPEND with the /X option and you plan to use the BACKUP
and RESTORE commands, you must first cancel the option by entering
append;
If you plan to use the ASSIGN command to redirect drive requests, use the
APPEND command first (refer to the ASSIGN command section for more
information).
CAUTION:
The APPEND command should not be used with Microsoft Windows or the
Windows Setup program.
Options
/X: [on | off] - The /X switch is used by DOS to guide the search path for
programs (such as DOS commands)Ê . Set the /X switch before specifying
paths to search. The /X switch can only be specified the first time you
use the APPEND command. In versions after DOS Version 4 this parameter
can be specified as either /X:on (to search appended directories when
executing programs) or /X:off (to not searry or the LETTERS subdirectory,
enter
append c:\memos;c:\letters
DOS will first search for anOS versions afte specify in the currently
active drive and directory. If the files are not found there, it will
search the path \MEMOS, and finally the path \LETTERS.
For example, if you want to use the TYPE command to display the contents
of the file LET3-9.TXT that is in the \LETTERS directory, you can
enter
type let3-9.txt
DOS will first search for the file in current directory, but if it is not
found there, DOS will immediately search the \MEMOS and \LETTERS
directories on drive B. BR>
If you want DOS to search additional directories, you must enter the
entire command again, listing all the directories you must be separated by
a semicolon. For example, if you want DOS to continue to search the \MEMOS
and \LETTERS directories, but R>
append b:;c:\memos;c:\letters
If the files are not found there, it will search the path \MEMOS, and
finally the path \LETTERS.
For example, if you want to use the TYPE command to display the contents
of the file LET3-9.TXT that is in the \LETTERS directory, you can
enter
type let3-9.txt
DOS will first search for the file in current directory, but if it is not
found there, DOS will immediately search the \MEMOS and \LETTERS
directories on drive B. BR>
If you want DOS to search additional directories, you must enter the
entire command again, listing all the directories you must be separated by
a semicolon. For example, if you want DOS to continue to search the \MEMOS
and \LETTERS directories, but R>
append b:;c:\memos;c:\letters
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