MS-DOS 6.22 HELP Command Search Functions

The MS-DOS 6.22 HELP command provides a full-screen, interactive reference interface that allows users to look up syntax and command details through direct command-line queries and built-in text-searching tools. Powered by the QBasic runtime engine, the utility acts as an indexed, hypertext-driven manual where users can immediately jump to specific command topics or perform free-form string searches within the documentation.

Command-Line Topic Queries

When executed from the command prompt, the HELP command accepts a specific query argument:

HELP [topic]

Entering a query like HELP DIR or HELP XCOPY bypasses the general index and directly opens the dedicated help page for that command. If a user enters a query for a non-existent command, the utility opens to the main table of contents, allowing the user to select from an alphabetical list of valid topics.

In-Program Search and Find Tools

Once inside the graphical text-mode interface, MS-DOS 6.22 HELP provides internal search tools to locate specific keywords within the open documentation:

  • Find (Ctrl+F): Accessed through the Search menu at the top of the screen or via keyboard shortcuts, this function opens a dialog box prompting for a text string.
  • Match Options: The search query can be refined using two filters:
    • Match Upper/Lowercase: Toggles case sensitivity for the search query.
    • Whole Word: Restricts matches to complete words rather than sub-strings.
  • Repeat Last Find (F3): Allows users to jump sequentially to the next instance of the active search query throughout the current document without reopening the dialog menu.

Hypertext and Index Navigation

In addition to literal text searching, queries are facilitated through embedded cross-references. Within any command entry, related topics and parameters are enclosed in angle brackets (< >). Users can press the Tab key to cycle through these search targets and press Enter to jump immediately to the selected topic. Pressing Alt+B functions as a back command to return to previously searched screens.