The Command Prompt (cmd.exe) is a command-line interpreter in Windows that allows users to execute commands, run scripts, and perform administrative tasks.

How to Open Command Prompt

1. Using Start Menu: Search for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu.
2. Using Run Dialog: Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
3. Using File Explorer: Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe and double-click.
4. Using Power User Menu: Press Win + X and select “Command Prompt” or “Terminal”.

Basic Commands

1. Navigation Commands

• dir – Lists files and directories in the current folder.
• cd <directory> – Changes the directory.
  • Example: cd Documents moves to the Documents folder.
• cd .. – Moves up one directory level.
• cd \ – Moves to the root directory.
• start . – Opens the current folder in File Explorer.
• start <folder_name> – Opens a specific folder in File Explorer.

2. File and Folder Operations

• mkdir <folder_name> – Creates a new folder.
• rmdir <folder_name> – Deletes an empty folder.
• del <file_name> – Deletes a file.
• copy <source> <destination> – Copies a file.
• move <source> <destination> – Moves or renames a file.
• echo. > <file_name> – Creates a new empty file.
  • Example: echo. > example.txt creates a file named example.txt.
• type nul > <file_name> – Another way to create an empty file.
• notepad <file_name> – Opens a file in Notepad (creates a new file if it doesn’t exist).

3. System Information Commands

• echo %USERNAME% – Displays the current username.
• systeminfo – Shows system details.
• ipconfig – Displays network configuration.
• tasklist – Lists currently running processes.

4. Network Commands

• ping <website> – Checks network connectivity.
• ipconfig /all – Shows detailed network configuration.
• netstat – Displays active network connections.

5. Process and Task Management

• tasklist – Displays active processes.
• taskkill /IM <process_name> /F – Forces termination of a process.
• shutdown /s /t 60 – Schedules system shutdown in 60 seconds.

6. Advanced Commands

• cls – Clears the screen.
• echo <message> – Displays a message.
• type <file_name> – Displays the content of a text file.
• find "text" <file> – Searches for a string in a file.
• help – Lists available commands.

7. Running Batch Files

Batch files (.bat) contain a sequence of commands that can automate tasks in Windows. To create and run a batch file, follow these steps:

📌 Steps to Create and Run a Batch File:

1. Open Notepad and enter your commands.
2. Save the file with a .bat extension (e.g., script.bat).
3. Double-click the file to execute it.

📝 Example 1: Displaying a Message

@echo off
echo Hello, this is my first batch file!
pause

🔹 Output: Displays the message and waits for user input before closing.

📝 Example 2: Opening a Website

@echo off
start https://www.google.com

🔹 Output: Opens Google in your default browser.

📝 Example 3: Automating File Management

@echo off
mkdir MyNewFolder
cd MyNewFolder
echo This is a new file > myfile.txt

🔹 Output: Creates a folder named MyNewFolder and a text file inside it.

📝 Example 4: Running a Python Script

@echo off
python my_script.py
pause

🔹 Output: Runs a Python script and waits before closing.

The Windows Command Prompt is a powerful tool for managing files, executing scripts, and performing administrative tasks efficiently. Mastering basic commands can greatly enhance productivity and troubleshooting capabilities.

8. Python Commands in Command Prompt

• python --version – Checks the installed Python version.
• python – Opens the Python interactive shell.
• exit() – Exits the Python interactive shell.
• py <script.py> – Runs a Python script.
• pip --version – Checks the installed version of pip.
• pip list – Lists installed Python packages.
• pip install <package_name> – Installs a Python package.
• pip uninstall <package_name> – Uninstalls a Python package.
• pip freeze > requirements.txt – Saves installed packages to a file.
• pip install -r requirements.txt – Installs packages from a file.

9. Commands for Managing Python inside the Command Prompt

• python – Starts Python interactive mode.
• exit() or quit() – Exits Python interactive mode.
• CTRL + Z + Enter – Exits Python (alternative shortcut).
• import os; os.system('cls') – Clears the screen inside Python.
• help() – Opens Python help system.
• help('modules') – Lists all available modules.
• help('os') – Shows help for the os module.
• import sys; sys.version – Displays the Python version.
• import sys; sys.exit() – Exits Python.
• import os; os.getcwd() – Shows the current working directory.
• import os; os.listdir() – Lists files in the current directory.

10. 🎉 Fun and Engaging Python Commands 🎉

🖼️ Display a Beautiful Image Output

Want to create amazing visualizations? Try this!

Install Matplotlib:

pip install matplotlib

Run the Code:

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = np.linspace(0, 10, 100)
y = np.sin(x)

plt.plot(x, y, color='red', linewidth=2, linestyle='--')
plt.title("🌊 Beautiful Sine Wave")
plt.xlabel("X-axis")
plt.ylabel("Y-axis")
plt.show()

✨ Output: A beautiful red sine wave!

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😂 Make Python Tell a Joke

Want a laugh? Let Python entertain you!

Install PyJokes:

pip install pyjokes

Run the Code:

import pyjokes
print(pyjokes.get_joke())

🤣 Output: A random programming joke!

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🎨 Create ASCII Art

Make stylish text using Python!

Install Art Package:

pip install art

Run the Code:

from art import text2art
print(text2art("Python"))

🖌️ Output: “Python” in cool ASCII font!

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🎵 Make Python Talk (Text-to-Speech)

Let Python welcome you with a speech!

Install pyttsx3:

pip install pyttsx3

Run the Code:

import pyttsx3
engine = pyttsx3.init()
engine.say("Welcome to Python programming! Have fun coding.")
engine.runAndWait()

🔊 Output: Python speaks the message aloud!

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🎮 Simple Rock-Paper-Scissors Game

Play against Python!

Run the Code:

import random
choices = ["rock", "paper", "scissors"]
user_choice = input("Choose rock, paper, or scissors: ")
comp_choice = random.choice(choices)
print(f"Computer chose: {comp_choice}")
if user_choice == comp_choice:
    print("It's a tie! 🤝")
elif (user_choice == "rock" and comp_choice == "scissors") or \
     (user_choice == "paper" and comp_choice == "rock") or \
     (user_choice == "scissors" and comp_choice == "paper"):
    print("You win! 🎉")
else:
    print("You lose! 😢")

🎲 Output: A fun interactive game!