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Q71161: Appending Binary Files Using the COPY Command

Article: Q71161
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.0a,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 3.1, 3.2, 3.21, 3.3, 3.3a, 4.0, 4.01, 5.0a, 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, 6.22 
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SUMMARY
=======

MS-DOS allows you to append several binary files together using the COPY
command. However, the target file that results is smaller than the sum of the
source files.

MORE INFORMATION
================

To append binary files, use the COPY command with the /b switch. The syntax is
as follows:

  copy <source1> /b + <source2> /b [....] <targetfile>

  -or-

  copy /b <source1> + <source2> [....] <targetfile>

You can also combine several files into one by using wildcards. For example:

  copy /b *.exe combin.exe

Note: The /b switch is also useful when combining or appending ASCII files that
contain embedded control characters.

For more information, query on the following words:

  " COPY and strip and EOF
  COPY and concatenate
  COPY and XCOPY and merge " (without the quotation marks)

Additional query words: 6.22 3.20 3.21 3.30 3.30a 4.00 4.01 4.01a 5.00 6.00 6.20

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS321 kbMSDOS400 kbMSDOS320 kbMSDOS330a kbMSDOS621 kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620 kbMSDOS600 kbMSDOS310 kbMSDOS330 kbMSDOS401 kbMSDOS500a
Version           : MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.0a,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22

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