Directing DOS

Can you give me the correct syntax for the PATH statement? Is it necessary to redo the PATH statement to add another subdirectory to it?

RICHARD COWITT
FLORAL PARK, NY

As one of the DOS environment variables, the path is set when your computer boots. To see your system's current PATH, enter PATH at the DOS prompt. If no path is set, the message No path appears on the screen.

To set a path at the command line, enter PATH followed by each subdirectory you want to include, separated by semicolons. For example, to place the subdirectories C:\ (the root directory), C:\DOS, and C:\ BATCH in your path, enter PATH C:\;C:\DOS;C:\ BATCH.

If you put the PATH command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, it will be set automatically for you each time you boot your computer.

In answer to your second question: Yes, you do have to rewrite the path in its entirety to add or remove a directory. However, in an upcoming issue of COMPUTE's PC Disk, we will provide a handy environment editor that will allow you to edit your path or any other environment setting in a word processor-like screen.

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