Most modern computers are equipped with graphical operating systems that allow you to control your computer through a convenient and intuitive interface. However, even in the latest versions of such systems, there is also a way to control using text commands - the command line.
The meaning of the command line
In the early days of digital technology, the command line or console was the only way to interact with the user and the computer. The text-based command line interface did not require a lot of resources, and a single command entry standard made them easier to interpret.
The command line is otherwise called the command interpreter and is a field for entering certain text commands, providing communication between the user and the operating system. Of course, in modern versions of operating systems, most operations are performed using a more advanced graphical interface, but, nevertheless, there are a number of situations when the use of the command line is justified.
The fact is that if you know certain commands, then getting the result using the console will be faster than using the graphical interface. In addition, for some commands, a graphical analogue is not provided at all, since they are rarely used or are service ones, that is, intended for computer administration.
Another widespread use of the console is in computer games. In some of them, due to restrictions on the resources used, there is simply no other way to configure, in others, the command line allows you to fine-tune it, enter special codes or enable debug mode.
Console call
In the most popular operating systems of the Windows family today, there are several ways to invoke the command line on the screen. First, you can click the "Start" button, find the "Run" item there and enter the cmd command in the field that appears. In some versions of Windows, the Run option is hidden, but it can be invoked with the Win + R key combination.
Second, in Windows 7, the command line shortcut can be found in the Start button menu under Programs, Accessories subsection. If you intend to use the command line frequently, you can bring the shortcut to the "Desktop".
The third method also works only in the operating system Windows 7. It consists in the fact that when you right-click on any folder while holding down the Shift key, an extended context menu will open, one of the items of which ("Open command window") will open the command line.
Finally, you can simply locate the command line executable in your Windows folder. The file is called cmd.exe and is located in the system32 directory. You can either run Command Prompt directly from here, or create a shortcut and place it on the Desktop.
