DIR

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Performs a directory or table listing.

Syntax

DIR | DIRECTORY
[[LIKE] <drive/path/filename skeleton>]

[LIKE] <drive/path/filename skeleton>

Specifies a path and/or file specification to be used by DIR. The LIKE keyword is included for readability only; it has no effect on the command.

If omitted, the tables in the current directory or database are listed.

Description

DIR (or DIRECTORY) is a utility command that lets you perform a directory listing. The information provided on each file includes its short (8.3) name, its size in bytes, the date of its last update, and its long file name. DIR also shows the total number of bytes used by the listed files, the number of bytes left on that drive, and the total disk space.

DIR with no arguments displays information on the tables in the current directory or database. When accessing tables in the current directory, SET DBTYPE controls the files that are displayed. If SET DBTYPE is DBASE, files with .DBF extensions in the current directory are shown; if SET DBTYPE is PARADOX, .DB files are shown instead. In addition to the information normally displayed, DIR displays the number of records in each table.

The same DBF or DB tables are listed if the database chosen by SET DATABASE is a Standard table alias (one that looks at DBF and DB tables in a specific directory). If the database chosen by SET DATABASE is any other kind of alias, only the table names and the total number of tables are shown.

DIR pauses when the results pane is full and displays a dialog box prompting you to display another screenful of information.

If you have not used ON KEY or SET FUNCTION to reassign the F4 key, pressing F4 is a quick way to execute DIR.