Sort Out a Mess of Files With the DIR, Command

The following DOS commands assume that you're working at the DOS prompt on the Palmtop.

Type DIR, (DIR followed by a comma) at the DOS prompt and press ENTER. You'll get a list all the files in a directory, including those that have their hidden attribute set. While you're still at the DOS prompt, try the following commands. (Press ENTER after typing them in.)

1) The DIR, /s/b command will show ALL the files in the current directory and its subdirectories with the full path name of each file but without the volume label and summary information.

2) Suppose you want a list of all the files sorted by size from the largest file to the smallest. The command DIR, /O-S will show all the files, including hidden ones. The trick to using this command is in knowing where to put the '-' (minus) sign. It comes immediately after the O.

3) To produce a directory listing that is sorted, first, by extensions and then by size within each extension grouping, use the command DIR, /OES. If you use the command DIR, /OSE, you'll get a listing that is sorted first by size and, if several files have the same size, those files will be sorted by their extensions.

4) Suppose you want the list sorted, first by file extension and then by size and you want the sizes to go from largest to smallest. The command DIR, /O-ES almost works. It will sort by extension and then by size but BOTH the extension and the sizes will be in reverse order. You might try something like DIR, /OE /O-S but that won't get what you want. However, if the DIR command can't get what you want, the Palmtop's built in Lotus 1-2-3 can. See the next tip.