Command line
A Command line is a function critical to Windows that is used to implement individual commands entered in a sequence. If the commands are clustered in a text file with a .CMD or .BAT extension, the command line follows a file execution as according to the hierarchy of commands. Power users and developers use Windows command line for file testing and management. The commands are similar in syntax to original DOS commands.
For example:
The command (copy *. html d:\x) processed on the command line copies WebPages with .HTML extension to the destination folder in the drive D. Performing the same operation with Windows Explorer would require a combination of mouse clicks to execute.
Command Line Interface:
A command line interface is a user interface used to process command lines. In terms of accessibility, a command line interface differs in every operating system the interface offers a visual prompt to the user to interact with the system and its applications. A typical command line interface popular on the Windows operating system is the MS-DOS Prompt application. However, most users prefer the Windows graphical user interface (GUI), Mac OS, BeOS. A GUI does not require command lines. In general, Present day Unix-based systems offer both command line interface and a graphical user interface. UNIX based systems are more popular among system administrators and programmers, in scientific and engineering environments. These technicians often use CLI's to run technologically advanced personal computers.
A application program that includes a command line interface and executes command line functions is called a command line shell or interpreter. Examples include the various Unix shells (sh, ksh, csh, tcsh, bash, etc.), the historical CP/M, and DOS's COMMAND.COM, the latter two based heavily on DEC's RSX and RSTS CLIs.
The Windows PowerShell Command Line
Popularly known as Microsoft Shell or MSH (codenamed Monad), Windows power shell is scripting language and an extensible command line interface (CLI) shell and product developed by Microsoft. The product works on the object-oriented programming concept and Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0. The PowerShell is available for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista.
An improved version of Windows PowerShell command line interface would be included as a part of Windows server operating system for 2008.
System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007, Exchange Server 2007and System Center Operations Manager 2007 use Windows PowerShell to execute administrative commands through command line interfaces. The administrative GUI runs using these command lines.
Microsoft Windows PowerShell employs a scripting language shell and command line interface to assist IT professionals in achieving better control and productivity over mainframe systems. The PowerShell includes a scripting language with relatively easier administrative commands, over 150 command line tools, and user-friend utilities and syntax. IT professionals can now establish scripted administrative commands over the system and accelerate automation, using Windows PowerShell.
The learning cycle of Windows PowerShell is extremely adaptive and works symbiotically with the existing IT infrastructure and script developments. The IT department of many organizations recommends this PowerShell to improve administrator efficiency, control, and productivity.
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