Jamsa provides all the information needed to use every DOS version efficiently, from version 1.0 to the recently released DOS 6.0. This book is the most thorough discussion of DOS available. All 45 chapters are packed with answers to every conceivable DOS question.

The information is presented gradually, so the book is useful for both inexperienced and advanced DOS users. The book begins with some chapters containing basic information about PCs and the DOS operating system, “Getting to Know Your Computer,” “Getting DOS Started,” and “Getting Around Your Disk.” It moves on to high-level concepts, such as “DOS Pretender Commands,” “DOS 5 and 6 Crisis Prevention,” “Improving Your System Performance,” and  “Doubling  Your Disk’s Storage Capacity.” Each chapter starts with the basics and then gives details. Each chapter presents a new topic, explains how and when it may be used, and gives some helpful hints. Understanding is facilitated by “Hands On” and “Review” sections. The questions in the review sections refer to the most important concepts presented in the chapter and are followed by detailed answers. A “Summary” is included in almost all chapters, reviewing key points. For readers who have some DOS experience, each chapter has an “Advanced Concepts” section, which contains tips and more advanced behind-the-scenes concepts.

The introductory chapters present fundamental notions that beginners will need. The next chapters show how to get the most from DOS directories, printers, and other peripherals. How, when, and where to use batch files, including the new possibilities of the latest version of the operating system, are also treated. Of particular interest are the chapters dedicated to protecting files, avoiding crises, debugging and recovering from disk errors, and preventing viruses.

Among the most important chapters of the book are those dedicated to the new facilities offered by DOS 6. Jamsa provides detailed explanations about linking computers to make data exchange easier between two systems. Other information of great interest is about the possibilities of doubling the hard disk’s storage capacity and detecting and correcting disk fragmentation.

A “Complete Command Reference” helps the reader pinpoint information quickly. The five appendices, “Exit Status Values,” “ASCII and Extended ASCII Character Sets,” “International Keyboard Templates and Code Pages,” “Upgrading to DOS 6,” and “Common Error Messages,” are useful. A comprehensive index provides quick access to every topic covered in the book. The book is loaded with rich illustrations. Many illustrative examples contribute to a better understanding of the concepts and techniques used.

To complement the text, two diskette packages, “DOS HELP” and “DOS: The Complete Reference Companion Diskette,” are available. The first provides an online discussion of every DOS command (its format, tips, and examples), and the second contains all the DEBUG script routines presented in the book, along with a collection of utility programs.

Written for people who need a great deal of information in a hurry, this text is well organized and concise. It is an invaluable resource, necessary to every PC programmers’ library.