Reviews (4)

THE Reference Book for DOS
This book is simply the best reference source for MS-DOS.Easy to read and providing in-depth coverage of all DOS commands, this book covers version 6.22 as well as letting you know when a command first appeared andin what version of DOS. Fundamental but a little OLD!
I was looking for a fundamental DOS book covering basic and network commands, scripts, and a reference. What I got was a book written before Windows 95 with no updated network Commands and a reference not formattedlike a dictionary but more like a written chapter. It is a great first bookfor DOS but I wish I noticed the publish date.

Started my professional computer career with this book.
Best, easiest to understand and fun to read.This book more than any other laid the foundation for my understanding of computer science.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Operating Systems    2. Computer Books: Languages    3. Operating Systems - DOS    4. Operating Systems - General    5. Operating Systems - Windows    6. DOS   

Reviews (40)

Great Introduction to the Forgotten World of Assembly for Beginners
Last semester, I checked this book out from our school library and absolutely fell in love with it - it's superb. The author Duntemann has a clear, fresh, and very light writing style that's not loaded down with an overabundance of superfluous "geek-speak". Before delving into new concepts, Duntemann tries to get the reader to grasp, in a real world sense, how the concepts apply to the machine.
Best Assembly Book
The author starts this book out very strangly, but once you get into it you find that his craziness is well deserved.Programming is very difficult, but learning the basics is even harder.It starts out helping a person understand the numbering system of computers and then moves on into the meat of Assembly Language.
Most excellent assembly book
This book is great for assembly language beginners and programmers, It could even help fill in missing information for experienced programmers. I would love to see this guy write a book on disassemmbling. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assembler language (Computer p    2. Assembler language (Computer program language)    3. Assembly Languages    4. Computer Books And Software    5. Computers    6. Computers - Languages / Programming    7. Dos (Computer Operating System)    8. Operating Systems - General    9. Programming - Software Development    10. Programming Languages - Assembly Language    11. Computer Programming    12. Computers / Programming / Software Development    13. Unix, Unix Linux & Unix TCL/TK   

Reviews (57)

Outstanding book on 80x86 Assembler
Great book to learn the basics of 16 bit and 32 bit Assembler coding using the 80x86 architecture.
Best book on the subject
It's a well organized and clearly written book. I am reading the 4th edition and it's not about DOS anymore. The previous reviews on earlier editions should be removed. Another very nice thing of this book is it has a lot of exercises. Each section has about 10 small quizes, and each chapter has several bigger projects for you to practice. These are essential to learn a computer language.

Outstanding coverage of a vital computer foundation...
Mr. Irvine's book is an outstanding introduction into the x86 microprocessor family and beyond. This is a great text for use in undergraduate CS classes or for any Joe who wants to learn to bust bits on bare metal. While some coverage may seem outdated (ala the days of DOS), only the initiated know that programming a computer on the lowest level possible is the ULTIMATE form of control.
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Subjects:  1. Assembler language (Computer program language)    2. Assembly Languages    3. Computer Books And Software    4. Computers    5. Computers - Languages / Programming    6. IBM Personal Computer    7. Ibm Pc Programming    8. Programming    9. Programming - General    10. Programming Languages - Assembly Language    11. Computer architecture & logic design    12. DOS    13. High level programming languages    14. PCs (IBM-compatible personal computers)   

Editorial Review

The book that changed the way computer books are written and marketed has come out in a third edition. By and large, it's the same as the previous edition (advances in MS-DOS have not been numerous), but there is some new information here. Further, Read more

Reviews (14)

A Classic
Not so long ago most people did not know how to use a computer. Dan Gookin's "DOS for Dummies" stepped us through the hills and vales of how to use one. For this alone the book deserves respect.
Every Page Another Stupid Joke
The concept in the "...for Dummies" series is to write in a friendly style and give the reader some substantial information along the way.What you get in this waste of paper is tons of useless unfunny attempts at humor with some passing references to DOS along the way.
Good for beginners...
This book was great, but it needed to have more advanced stuff. Heck, I already knew about 68% of the book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Operating Systems    2. Computer Books: Operating Systems    3. Computer operating systems    4. Computers    5. Computers - Operating Systems    6. Dos (Computer Operating System)    7. Internet - General    8. MS-DOS (Computer file)    9. Operating Systems - DOS    10. Operating systems (Computers)    11. PC-DOS (Computer file)    12. Computers / Operating Systems / General    13. DOS   

Editorial Review

Reviews (34)

Still a Good Read
Should I Buy This Book?
Still relevant and thrilling in 2005
Although this book was written at a time when the authors found it necessary to explain what 'electronic mail, or e-mail' was, the insight into Bill Gates' life, methods and extraordinary success is timeless.It is hard to imagine much in this book is out of date, other than the estimate of Gates' wealth at the time ($4b).This is a well-written book and a fast read.

Good book
This is a good book about Bill Gates. I would highly recommand you buy this book. If you are interested in studying about people and what makes them tick, you would really like this book. Although it is outdated, the way it describe Bill Gates back then and today would not make that much different in how he does business. The different now is that Bill Gates has the K.B.E title and being good by helping third world country and other good deeds. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1955-    2. Biography    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Businesspeople    6. Computer Industry    7. Computer software industry    8. Corporate & Business History - General    9. Gates, Bill,    10. History    11. Microsoft Corporation    12. United States    13. Biography: general    14. Business & Economics / General    15. DOS    16. Entrepreneurship    17. Gates, Bill    18. USA   

Reviews (1)

This is the way to learn IMS
If you're an applications programmer and need to learn DL/I to extract information from IMS hierarchical databases, this is the book for you. Don't let the size fool you; you can get through it in under a fortnight.This book contains the most of what any applications programmer working inthe mainframe environment will need for all applications. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. COBOL (Computer program langua    2. Cobol (Programming Language)    3. Computer Bks - Languages / Programming    4. Computer Books: Languages    5. Computer Books: Operating Systems    6. Computer Operating Systems    7. Computers    8. Computers - Languages / Programming    9. IMS (DL/I) (Computer system)    10. IMS/VS (Computer system)    11. Programming - General    12. Programming Languages - COBOL    13. Cobol   

Reviews (1)

Good coverage of DOS!!
Provides good coverage of how to use DOS 6.22. The appendix is excellent with explanations and examples of DOS commands. Recommended buy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers - Operating Systems    3. MS-DOS (Computer file)    4. Ms-Dos (Operating System)    5. Operating Systems - DOS    6. Operating systems (Computers)    7. Computers / Operating Systems / DOS    8. DOS   

Reviews (2)

More Dos for dummies
If you need a reference book for MS-DOS, this is one of the best. You can learn a lot about DOS -- anything from futzing with the dos prompt to learning how to use batch files. Oh, one more important detail -- you learnthat an elephant's appendix is nearly five feet long :-) The light-heartedapproach is refreshing!

Great book!
This is a great book. I was a complete novis with DOS, and actidently picked up the 2nd version. I began to read it, but it was amazingly simple to understand, even though you are expected to know what was in the firstversion! Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Computers    3. Computers - Operating Systems    4. Dos (Computer Operating System)    5. MS-DOS (Computer file)    6. Operating Systems - DOS    7. Operating Systems - General    8. Operating systems (Computers)    9. PC-DOS (Computer file)    10. DOS   

Reviews (2)

It is for beginers
This book just for beginers. Also, there is lot of assembly example instead of C language.

Best... And Last Book on This Topic
If you are even reading this review, it is probably because you, for one reason or another, need to write an MS-DOS device driver. I was in the same boat, and this book saved me. Read more

Subjects:  1. MS-DOS (Computer file)    2. Computers - Operating Systems    3. Utilities    4. Operating Systems - DOS    5. Programming - Software Development    6. Computers / Programming / General    7. DOS    8. Storage media & peripherals    9. Dos (Computer Operating System)    10. Computer Books: General    11. DOS device drivers (Computer p    12. DOS device drivers (Computer programs)   

Reviews (2)

good but not complete
The author seems to assume you already know something about DOS. He doesn't completely cover the basics you need to start with before you start entering commands in the MS-DOS prompt; for example, the command to change the directory is in the regular reference section rather than at the start of the book where you need it. And he just decided to not cover a few commands, like "debug". So it's not quite for "dummies", really, and it's not complete either. Lastly, we're referred to yet another book called "DOS for Dummies" rather than him explaining fully? What's up with that? A Great Book For Dummies
This book will really help you learn DOS commands. The DOS commands are very easy to look up in this book.This book gives simple and right to the point explanations of each command.I highly recommend this book for anyone who uses DOS. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Computer operating systems    3. Computers    4. Computers - Operating Systems    5. Dos (Computer Operating System)    6. MS-DOS (Computer file)    7. Operating Systems - DOS    8. Operating Systems - General    9. Operating systems (Computers)    10. PC-DOS (Computer file)    11. Computers / Operating Systems / General    12. DOS   

Reviews (1)

EXCELLENT!!!Seek this book out...
Really great... Some parts are difficult tounderstand, but this disadvantage is far outweighed by the volume of rare info conatined in this book.Definitely worth buying!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Languages / Programming    2. Computer Books: Operating Systems    3. Hardware - Personal Computers - PCs    4. Microcomputers    5. Programming    6. Programming Languages - General    7. Systems programming   

Reviews (4)

Great, and Very Complete
Peter Norton has done a great job explaining DOS 6.22.This book is not filled with jokes or stories and does a great job explaining everything in detail.It guides you along allowing you to practice all of the commands and techniques you will learn.It is written so any beginner can understand.For anyone who wants to learn DOS or basic computer management this is a great book.

Excellent Coverage Of Batch Files
I was looking for a book that provided in depth information about batch files and I found exactly what I was looking for. Peter Norton does an excellent job of explaining DOS in a simple to follow format. This is a must read for anyone involved in supporting end users, specially those who have used Windows exclusively and have very limited knowledge of DOS. Many of the concepts explained in this book are used today in different versions of Windows. It will help fill in the gaps when it comes to understanding and utilizing the command line, which is a must for any IT professional.

Worth buying just for the chapters on script writing
I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who wants to learn the basics of computer management and script writing.Even if you never use any of the information about the various DOS commands and functions (although many of them apply to Windows 2000) the book is worth the purchase price for the chapters on writing batch files.Don't be fooled by the chapter titles -- while ostensibly teaching you how to write batch files this book is really providing the best overview of computer scripting I have ever found.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Operating Systems    2. Computer Books: Operating Systems    3. Computers - Operating Systems    4. Dos (Computer Operating System)    5. MS-DOS (Computer file)    6. Operating Systems - DOS    7. Operating systems (Computers)    8. PC-DOS (Computer file)    9. Basic, Visual Basic & QBasic    10. DOS   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers - Data Base Management    3. Database Management - FoxPro    4. Database Management - General    5. Database management    6. FoxPro (Computer file)    7. DOS    8. FoxPro    9. Microsoft Windows   

Reviews (4)

Dos 6.2 InstantReference
I use this book everyday it has been a great help. I work with dos programs and was always forgetting commands now I have this book and it sits on my desk for reference.

Nice for what I need...
Very easy to look up many commands with this book, and it's small making it easy to take around...Definitely not the complete reference for Dos, but no one should expect that froman "Instant Reference."

Best to use
For the novice or the technician, this is the best book to use. I have had this book since '94 and still refer to it today.It is a lot of information on MS-DOS crammed into one book, yet it is small in size (fits nicely in my briefcase). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Computer operating systems    3. Computers - Operating Systems    4. Dos (Computer Operating System)    5. MS-DOS (Computer file)    6. Operating Systems - DOS    7. Operating systems (Computers)    8. PC-DOS (Computer file)    9. Computers / Operating Systems / General    10. DOS   

Reviews (1)

Outstanding overview of a world-changing Operating System
Like it or hate it, if you're a computer user you cannot deny what MS-DOS has done for the computer industry. From its conception as QDOS into Microsoft's cash cow, MS-DOS has turned many people to or away from computers.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Operating Systems    2. Computer Books: Operating Systems    3. MS-DOS (Computer file)    4. MS-DOS (Computer operating sys    5. MS-DOS (Computer operating system)    6. Ms-Dos (Operating System)    7. Operating Systems - General    8. Operating Systems - Windows   

Reviews (3)

The Absolute Reference!
Nobody else could write a book like PC Interrupts, than Ralf Brown & Jim Kyle. This book is not only a reference, it is written from programmers for programmers and all the needs of an experienced developer. The titlespeaks for itself, the book is a milestone in Computer Literature andtraces a long period of general PC development. May be, that the most ofthe stuff is dated, but anyway there's often enough a good reason to readsome and the enormous information impact makes the book valuable for everyprogrammer, today and forever. I recommend the book particularly!

Interrupts? -> Get Brown & Kyle's book
The classic Brown-Kyle book, this book is just great it has all theinterrupts and third party calls info that every programmer needs I can't say anymore about this book just that it rocks!

Absolutely neccessary guide to interrupts
The difinitive edition of Ralf Brown's Interrupt List, PC INTERRUPTS lists every DOS and BIOS interrupt call I have ever needed.This book should reside on the shelf of anyone interested in low-level code, especially assembly.-nick black ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Languages / Programming    2. Computer Books: General    3. Microcomputer Programming    4. Microcomputers    5. Programming    6. Programming - General    7. Programming Languages - General    8. Operating systems & graphical user interfaces (GUIs)    9. Personal computers   

Reviews (2)

Detailed and Thorough
Command line proficiency adds a new dimension to your understanding of Windows. While it is true that there are usually several ways to accomplish the same thing in Windows, the most elegant way is often performed in the command line.
Good Class Book
I like this book, it is a good read for MS-Dos. I recomend it, plus my teacher is the author. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Operating Systems    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Operating Systems    5. Operating Systems - DOS    6. Operating Systems - General    7. Computers / Operating Systems / General    8. Computing and Information Technology    9. Operating systems & graphical user interfaces (GUIs)   

Reviews (3)

Good to Excellent
This is my second pass on this book.And each pass gives more pleasure.Excellently designed while obeying ms-dos compatability.Excellent explanations.Highly commented programs.I have got the overall picture.Butthe f-node related functions are somehow harder to understand and needsmore explanation.I have made pass 1 on Podanoffsky's dissecting dos.Thisbook is much better than the latter.If there had been a table showing thefunctions and the files they are in it would have been better. I am lookingfor a similar book on a multiprogramming OS and as easy to grasp as thisone.

Excellent text from many perspectives.
The author really made the text flow by providing a high level view and then peeling back each layer to reveal the working of the kernel. In addition, he judiciously intermixed, text (historical, theoretical, practical, opinions) with diagrams, and code segments, which made the book easy to read, and concepts easy to follow. Ok if you have borland C++.....
This book was ok, but you need borland C++ unless you want to do some major porting... The back said that you only need borland OR microsoft c, but that is a lie. The only reasion I gave it a 4 was becouse of this. You could tell that a program wrote it and not an author. If you want a book on os programing get it ... Read more

Subjects:  1. C (Programming Language)    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Languages / Programming    5. Dos (Computer Operating System)    6. Operating Systems - General    7. Programming - General    8. Programming Languages - General   

Reviews (4)

It has helped me out a lot whenever I do advanced DOS apps.
This is definitely THE BOOK if you want to do some cool programming in DOS. No matter if you find yourself in the DOS Debugger or in Pascal or C++, you can easely do very advanced things by playing around with theinterrupts. This book shows you excactly what you need.

A Real Review
OK, the two other jokers have had their fun. Seriously, Ray Duncan's "Advanced MS-DOS Programming" is a must-have reference for the Assembler INT 21h system services for MS-DOS based PC's. This is not a"How-To" book, but rather a complete reference manual. If you'retrying to learn 8086 assembler, I'd suggest Peter Norton and John Socha's"Peter Norton's Assembly Language Book For The IBM PC", but keepRay Duncan's book handy for the details.

This book contains NO information on UNIX at all!.
Based on the previous review, I bought this book for a large UNIX project I am working on.I wonder if my friend from Egypt even read this book?This is a great COBOL reference though. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assembler language (Computer p    2. Assembler language (Computer program language)    3. C (Computer program language)    4. Computer Bks - Operating Systems    5. Computer Books: Operating Systems    6. Ibm Pc Programming    7. MS-DOS (Computer file)    8. MS-DOS (Computer program)    9. Ms-Dos (Operating System)    10. Operating Systems - General   

Reviews (3)

MS-DOS Batch File Programming 3rd Edition
Great book!Excellent examples... Use it regularly for batch file processing.Helps tremendously with my reports writing and data archiving tasks. I bought the book in '91 and love it...

A Classic Treatment of the subject
I'm looking at this book in 2001 and learning a lot that I had always wondered about.Using this book as a springboard to explore the new features of the Windows 2000 batch commands is eye-popping!Very useful....recommended.

Excellent Reference!I still use this after 11 years.
There are some parts of this book that are outdated but most of it is still applicable in todays environment.I am currently using it as a reference to write batch files to administer a large NT network. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Operating Systems    2. Operating Systems - General    3. Programming - General