10 Execute DOS Command

This command enables you to execute DOS commands directly from the PCBoard command prompt.

When this command is executed you are asked for the command you would like to execute. Once you type in the command, PCBoard will shell to DOS and execute the command you issue.

The amount of memory that will be available depends on your answer to Swap Out During Shell in PCBSetup > Configuration Options > Switches. A Y means that you will have slightly less memory available to you than you had when you loaded BOARD.BAT. An answer of N means that you will have slightly less then the free memory shown on the status line.

Please keep in mind your memory restrictions because if you run an application and there is not enough memory available, you will return back to PCBoard without the command executing.

When you are on locally, you can run any application assuming you do not run into any memory restrictions. When you are executing this command from remote, however, there are some items you must take into consideration.

If the command you execute from remote requires any interaction or input from the keyboard, you will not be able to execute these programs using the 10 command. The reason you cannot use these programs is that you are logged in remotely and have no control over the BBS's keyboard. If you attempt to run one of these programs, that node on your system will appear to hang.

What really happened is PCBoard executed the program and then ran into a situation that required keyboard input. PCBoard waits until the program is finished before returning which means the node will be stuck until it can be fixed. If you need to run an application that requires user interaction or input from the keyboard you should use the 9 command instead.