Guide to the command line for phylogenetics
programs
Many of the computer programs used in phylogenetics
don't have the polished graphical user interfaces (GUI) of
programs for the general public. This means it is
neccessary to learn to control these programs by typing in
commands (CLI). Before windows there was DOS — an
operating system based on the command line
This still exist in modern operating systems in some
form. To get to this dos-like window you need to click on
the start button, then go to " Run..." This will open a
box. In Windows 2000 or XP you type: "cmd", in Windows
98 type "command" this brings up a black screen with the
C:\> prompt or something similar.
This environment looks like MS-DOS, but is actually
called the "windows command shell" nevermind, the useage is
the same.
Now you need to navigate to where the modeltest program
is located, for this you need to know a few DOS commands:
"cd" means change directory and "dir" means list the
contents of a directory (folder). Remember to only change
by one level every time.
For example: "cd modeltest" would go to c:\modeltest to
go back use "cd.." a handy trick is that you can type only
part of a file name then press "tab" this will autocomplete
the name.
So cd your way to the modeltest folder (with all your
files in the same folder) and type the command to run
modeltest: "Modeltest3.7.win.exe < model.scores >
test.outfile".
How to enable autocomplete
- Log on as Administrator
- Click Start, and then click Run
- Type Regedit and OK
- Double click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- Double click SOFTWARE
- Double click Microsoft
- Double click Command Processor
- In the right pane of Regedit, double click the
'CompletionChar' DWORD value
- Type 9 click OK
- Close Regedit
- Done, Enjoy autocomplete.