These symbols have special meaning when used with other commands on the command line:
Symbol
Description
*
Multiple-character wildcard, used to specify a group of files.
?
Single-character wildcard, used to specify multiple files with more precision than *.
.
One dot represents the current directory; see "cd."
..
Two dots represent the parent directory; see "cd."
\
Separates directory names , drive letters , and filenames. By itself, \ represents the root directory of the current drive.
>
Redirect a command's text output into a file instead of the console window; existing files will be overwritten.
>>
Redirect a command's text output into a file instead of the console window, appending existing files.
<
Directs the contents of a text file to a command's input; use in place of keyboard entry to automate interactive command-line applications.
Redirects the output of a program or command to a second program or command (this is called a "pipe").
