File Transfer Protocol
A List of FTP Commands
  Table of Contents  v-24.01.01 - ftp4cmd1.htm 
  Introduction
  A Windows FTP Client
  An Interactive FTP Session
  A Scripted FTP Session
  A Linux FTP Client
  An Interactive FTP Session
  A Scripted FTP Session
  An FTP Command List
  FTP Command, DIR
  An FTP Extended Command List
  LOCSITE, LITERAL and SITE
  Summary
  Software Agreement and Disclaimer
  Downloads and Links
  Current Server or Internet Access
  Internet Access Required
  Glossary of Terms
  Contact or Feedback
  Company Overview
The SimoTime Home Page 

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Introduction

The following information is provided as a reference for the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) commands. This document describes and demonstrates the client processes for an interactive and a scripted FTP session. Both the interactive and scripted processes were tested on a Windows System and a Linux (Ubuntu 16.04) System connecting to a UNIX FTP Server. This process may vary slightly depending on the hardware and software configurations of the local and remote systems.

We have made a significant effort to ensure the documents and software technologies are correct and accurate. We reserve the right to make changes without notice at any time. The function delivered in this version is based upon the enhancement requests from a specific group of users. The intent is to provide changes as the need arises and in a timeframe that is dependent upon the availability of resources.

Copyright © 1987-2025
SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section A Windows FTP Client

This section describes a typical process for an interactive and automated, batch FTP session running on a Windows System and connecting to a UNIX System. This process may vary slightly depending on the hardware and software configurations of the local and remote systems.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section An Interactive FTP Session

To start an FTP interactive session type "ftp" from a DOS Command window.

C:\> ftp

The DOS prompt should be replaced with the FTP prompt. The FTP program is now running on the local system. A connection (or session) to a remote system has not been established.

The help command or ? (question mark) may be executed without being attached to a remote system and will do a print (usually to the screen) of the FTP commands. The following is an example of an FTP Command to display the FTP Help information.

ftp help

The following is a typical result of the help command running on a PC with Windows.

Commands may be abbreviated. Commands are:
!           delete      literal     prompt      send
?           debug       ls          put         status
append      dir         mdelete     pwd         trace
ascii       disconnect  mdir        quit        type
bell        get         mget        quote       user
binary      glob        mkdir       recv        verbose
bye         hash        mls         remotehelp
cd          help        mput        rename
close       lcd         open        rmdir
ftp

The following FTP Command will perform the FTP OPEN (make the connection) and display the following messages.

ftp  open domain.name 
Connected to domain.name
220 antigonous FTP server ready.
User (domain.name:(none)): User-Name
331 Password required for user-name
Password: password
230 User user-name logged in.
ftp

The following FTP Command will change the directory on the remote system and display the following message.

ftp> cd /web
250 CWD command successful.
ftp

The following FTP Command will find out the pathname of the current directory on the remote system and display the information.

ftp> pwd
257 "/web" is the current directory.
ftp

The following FTP Command will set the file transfer mode to ASCII (this is the default for most FTP programs) and display the information.

ftp> ascii
200 Type set to A.
ftp

The following FTP Command will copy a file(using ASCII mode) from the local system to the remote system and display the information.

ftp> put d:\simoweb1\filename.txt
200 PORT command successful.
Opening ASCII mode data connection for filename.txt
226 Transfer complete
ftp

The following FTP Command will set the file transfer mode to BINARY (the binary mode transfers all eight bits per byte and must be used to transfer non-ASCII files) and display the information.

ftp> binary
200 Type set to I.
ftp

The following FTP Command will copy a file (using BINARY mode) from the local system to the remote system and display the information.

ftp> put d:\simoweb1\filename.zip
200 PORT command successful.
Opening BINARY mode data connection for filename.zip
226 Transfer complete
ftp

The following FTP Command will exit the FTP environment (same as "bye") and display the information.

ftp> quit
221 Goodbye.

When the preceding FTP Command is finished the DOS prompt will be displayed.

C:\>

The preceding is a typical process for an interactive FTP session running on a PC with Windows/XP or Windows/7 and connecting to a UNIX system. This process may vary slightly depending on the hardware and software configurations of the local and remote systems.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section A Scripted FTP Session

The following batch file (FTPSAME1.cmd) will start an FTP session and pass the name of a text file (UPWIP001.TXT) to the FTP program. This text file will be processed by the FTP program and each of the statements in the text file will be processed in the sequence they appear.

@echo OFF
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *               FTPSAME1.CMD - a Windows Command File               *
rem  *        This program is provided by SimoTime Technologies          *
rem  *           (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved             *
rem  *             Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
rem  *                   e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
rem  * *******************************************************************
echo *
echo * This batch and text file illustrate the use of FTP to upload an
echo * ASCII file and an EBCDIC or Binary file. The UPWIP001.BAT file
echo * references UPWIP001.TXT that contains...
echo *
echo *   user
echo *   password
echo *   cd /web
echo *   pwd
echo *   ascii
echo *   put d:\simoweb1\cbltxn01.htm
echo *   binary
echo *   put d:\simoweb1\cbltxn01.zip
echo *   quit
echo *
ftp -s:upwip001.txt www.simotime.com

The following is a listing of the contents of the text file (UPWIP001.TXT).

user
password
cd /web
pwd
ascii
put d:\simoweb1\cbltxn01.htm
binary
put d:\simoweb1\cbltxn01.zip
quit

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section A Linux FTP Client

This section describes a typical process for an interactive and automated, batch FTP session running on a Windows System and connecting to a UNIX System. This process may vary slightly depending on the hardware and software configurations of the local and remote systems.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section An Interactive FTP Session

To start an FTP interactive session type "ftp" from a DOS Command window.

C:\> ftp

The DOS prompt should be replaced with the FTP prompt. The FTP program is now running on the local system. A connection (or session) to a remote system has not been established.

The help command or ? (question mark) may be executed without being attached to a remote system and will do a print (usually to the screen) of the FTP commands. The following is an example of an FTP Command to display the FTP Help information.

ftp help

The following is a typical result of the help command running on a PC with Windows.

Commands may be abbreviated. Commands are:
!           delete      literal     prompt      send
?           debug       ls          put         status
append      dir         mdelete     pwd         trace
ascii       disconnect  mdir        quit        type
bell        get         mget        quote       user
binary      glob        mkdir       recv        verbose
bye         hash        mls         remotehelp
cd          help        mput        rename
close       lcd         open        rmdir
ftp

The following FTP Command will perform the FTP OPEN (make the connection) and display the following messages.

ftp  open domain.name 
Connected to domain.name
220 antigonous FTP server ready.
User (domain.name:(none)): User-Name
331 Password required for user-name
Password: password
230 User user-name logged in.
ftp

The following FTP Command will change the directory on the remote system and display the following message.

ftp> cd /web
250 CWD command successful.
ftp

The following FTP Command will find out the pathname of the current directory on the remote system and display the information.

ftp> pwd
257 "/web" is the current directory.
ftp

The following FTP Command will set the file transfer mode to ASCII (this is the default for most FTP programs) and display the information.

ftp> ascii
200 Type set to A.
ftp

The following FTP Command will copy a file(using ASCII mode) from the local system to the remote system and display the information.

ftp> put d:\simoweb1\filename.txt
200 PORT command successful.
Opening ASCII mode data connection for filename.txt
226 Transfer complete
ftp

The following FTP Command will set the file transfer mode to BINARY (the binary mode transfers all eight bits per byte and must be used to transfer non-ASCII files) and display the information.

ftp> binary
200 Type set to I.
ftp

The following FTP Command will copy a file (using BINARY mode) from the local system to the remote system and display the information.

ftp> put d:\simoweb1\filename.zip
200 PORT command successful.
Opening BINARY mode data connection for filename.zip
226 Transfer complete
ftp

The following FTP Command will exit the FTP environment (same as "bye") and display the information.

ftp> quit
221 Goodbye.

When the preceding FTP Command is finished the DOS prompt will be displayed.

C:\>

The preceding is a typical process for an interactive FTP session running on a Linux System and connecting to a UNIX Server. This process may vary slightly depending on the hardware and software configurations of the local and remote systems.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section A Scripted FTP Session

The following Bash Script File (ftpwips1.sh) is a batch job that will upload multiple web members from the local system to the web server.

#!/bin/bash
   shname=zuploadRESULTSREQ
   sh simonote.sh "Starting CmdName $shname"
   export HOST=domain_name
   USER=user_id
   PASS=password
   sh simonote.sh "Continue with FTP Upload to $HOST"
   sh simonote.sh "Please wait..."
#  *
   ftp -n -v <<FTP_SCRIPT
open $HOST
quote USER $USER
quote PASS $PASS
cd /
cd /$HOST/public
pwd
ascii
put SIMOWEB1/cblbit01.htm /simotime.com/public/cblbit01.htm
put SIMOWEB1/cblivp01.htm /simotime.com/public/cblivp01.htm
put SIMOWEB1/ftp4cmd1.htm /simotime.com/public/ftp4cmd1.htm
put SIMOWEB1/lorxor01.htm /simotime.com/public/lorxor01.htm
put SIMOWEB1/sys76p01.htm /simotime.com/public/sys76p01.htm
quit
FTP_SCRIPT
#  *
   sh simonote.sh "Finished CmdName $shname"
   exit 0

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section An FTP Command List

The following is a summary of the commonly used FTP Commands.

Command Description
! Preceding a command with the exclamation point will cause the command to execute on the local system instead of the remote system.
? Request assistance or information about the FTP commands. This command does not require a connection to a remote system.
ascii Set the file transfer mode to ASCII (Note: this is the default mode for most FTP programs).
bell Turns bell mode on / off. This command does not require a connection to a remote system.
binary Set the file transfer mode to binary (Note: the binary mode transfers all eight bits per byte and must be used to transfer non-ASCII files).
bye Exit the FTP environment (same as quit). This command does not require a connection to a remote system.
cd Change directory on the remote system.
close Terminate a session with another system.
debug Sets debugging on/off. This command does not require a connection to a remote system.
delete Delete (remove) a file in the current remote directory (same as rm in UNIX).
dir Lists the contents of the remote directory. The asterisk (*) and the question mark (?) may be used as wild cards.
get RemoteName LocalName
help Request a list of all available FTP commands. This command does not require a connection to a remote system.
lcd Change directory on your local system (same as CD in UNIX).
ls List the names of the files in the current remote directory.
mget Copy multiple files from the remote system to the local system.
Note: You will be prompted for a "y/n" response before copying each file.
mkdir Make a new directory within the current remote directory.
mput Copy multiple files from the local system to the remote system. (Note: You will be prompted for a "y/n" response before copying each file).
open Open a connection with another system.
put Copy a file from the local system to the remote system.
pwd Find out the pathname of the current directory on the remote system.
quit Exit the FTP environment (same as "bye"). This command does not require a connection to a remote system.
rmdir Remove (delete) a directory in the current remote directory.
trace Toggles packet tracing. This command does not require a connection to a remote system.
  A List of FTP Commands

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section FTP Command, DIR

The DIR command will list the contents of the remote directory. The asterisk (*) and the question mark (?) may be used as wild cards.

Parameters Description
b* This will display all entries that start with the letter "b". For example, the following will be displayed.
bet, ben, bingo, born, boon, bipartisan, bandit, boy
b*n* This will display all entries that start with the letter "b" and have the letter "n" somewhere after the letter "b". For example, the following will be displayed.
ben, bingo, born, boon, bipartisan, bandit
The following will not be displayed.
bet, boy
b?n This will display all entries that start with the letter "b", have the letter "n" in the 3rd position and have a three character name. For example, the following will be displayed.
ben
The following will not be displayed.
bet, bingo, born, boon, bipartisan, bandit, boy
b?n* This will display all entries that start with the letter "b" and have the letter "n" in the 3rd position. For example, the following will be displayed.
ben, bingo, bandit
The following will not be displayed.
bet, born, boon, bipartisan, boy
  A List of Parameters for the DIR FTP Command

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section An FTP Extended Command List

The following are additional commands that are used when transferring files between an IBM Mainframe and a Windows or UNIX client system. Also, the following includes commands required when working with files containing variable length records.

Command Description
literal Will send an argument to the remote FTP Server. This statement is similar in purpose as the "QUOTE" statement.
locsite LOCSITE This statement may be used at the mainframe for commands specific to the mainframe
quote Will send an argument to the remote FTP Server. This statement is similar in purpose as the "LITERAL" statement.
site This parameter is used at the client system to transfer a function (via the LITERAL or QUOTE statement) to the host site. The following is a summary of the commonly used SITE/LOCSITE Commands.
  A List of Extended FTP Commands

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section LOCSITE, LITERAL and SITE

This SITE (via the literal or quote command) statement is used at the client system and the LOCSITE command is used at the host system. Both statements are used to transfer a function to the host site. The following is a summary of the commonly used SITE/LOCSITE Commands.

Command Description
BLKSIZE BLocKSIZE=nnnn where nnnn is the block size (BLKSIZE)
CYLINDERS CYlinders To indicate that space should be allocated in cylinders
DIRECTORY DIrectory=nnn where 'nnn' indicates the number of directory blocks to be allocated for the directory of a PDS
LRECL LRecl=nnn where nnn is the logical record length (LRECL)
PRIMARY PRImary=nnn where nnn indicates the number of primary space units (tracks or cylinders)
RDW RDW will cause each record of a variable length record to be preceded with a four byte Record Descriptor Word (RDW) and possible four byte Block Descriptor Word (BDW).
RECFM RECfm=format where format is: F, FA, FB, FBA, FBM, FM, U, V, VA, VB, VBA, VBM, or VBS
SECONDARY SECondary=nnn where nnn indicates the number of secondary space units (tracks or cylinders)
TRACKS TRacks To indicate that space should be allocated in tracks.
  Parameters used with the LOCSITE Extended FTP Commands

The following is an example of the LITERAL command and a GET command. The commands are executed at the client and will cause the RDW (Record Descriptor Word) to be included at the beginning of each record of a file with variable length records.

LITERAL SITE RDW
GET host-file-name client-file-name

The following is an example of the LOCSITE command and a PUT command. The commands are executed at the host and will cause the RDW (Record Descriptor Word) to be included at the beginning of each record of a file with variable length records.

LOCSITE RDW
PUT host-file-name client-file-name

The following is an example of the LOCSITE command for accessing tape files with variable length recoerds. The command is executed at the host and will cause the RDW (Record Descriptor Word) to be included at the beginning of each record of a file with variable length records.

LOCSITE RDW READTAPEFORMAT=V 
PUT host-file-name client-file-name

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Summary

The purpose of this document is to provide a quick reference for connecting and exchanging information between two systems. This document describes a typical process for an interactive or automated, batch File Transfer Protocol (FTP) session running on a PC with Windows/2000 and connecting to a UNIX system. This process may vary slightly depending on the hardware and software configurations of the local and remote systems.

This document may be used to assist as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers.

In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This documentation and software were developed and tested on systems that are configured for a SIMOTIME environment based on the hardware, operating systems, user requirements and security requirements. Therefore, adjustments may be needed to execute the jobs and programs when transferred to a system of a different architecture or configuration.

SIMOTIME Services has experience in moving or sharing data or application processing across a variety of systems. For additional information about SIMOTIME Services or Technologies please contact us using the information in the  Contact or Feedback  section of this document.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Software Agreement and Disclaimer

Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software, documentation or training material for any purpose requires a fee to be paid to SimoTime Technologies. Once the fee is received by SimoTime the latest version of the software, documentation or training material will be delivered and a license will be granted for use within an enterprise, provided the SimoTime copyright notice appear on all copies of the software. The SimoTime name or Logo may not be used in any advertising or publicity pertaining to the use of the software without the written permission of SimoTime Technologies.

SimoTime Technologies makes no warranty or representations about the suitability of the software, documentation or learning material for any purpose. It is provided "AS IS" without any expressed or implied warranty, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. SimoTime Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the loss of use, data or projects, whether in an action of contract or tort, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this software, documentation or training material.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Downloads and Links

This section includes links to documents with additional information that are beyond the scope and purpose of this document. The first group of documents may be available from a local system or via an Internet connection, the second group of documents will require an internet connection.

Note:  A SimoTime License is required for the items to be made available on a local system or server.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Current Server or Internet Access

The following links may be to the current server or to the Internet.

Note: The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the Link to Internet icon. If a user has a SimoTime Enterprise License the Documents and Program Suites may be available on a local server and accessed using the Link to Server icon.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore Sample FTP Scripts and Windows Command Files(FTP) that will transfer files between a Mainframe Host System and a Windows Client System.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the alternatives for transferring data files between systems. This link provides access to a repository of information that includes the transferring and/or sharing of data between Mainframe (ZOS or VSE), Linux, UNIX and Windows Systems.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore The ASCII and EBCDIC Translation Tables. These tables are provided for individuals that need to better understand the bit structures and differences of the encoding formats.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore The File Status Return Codes that are used to interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Internet Access Required

The following links will require an Internet connection.

A good place to start is The SimoTime Home Page for access to white papers, program examples and product information. This link requires an Internet Connection

Explore The Micro Focus Web Site for more information about products (including Micro Focus COBOL) and services available from Micro Focus. This link requires an Internet Connection.

Explore the GnuCOBOL Technologies available from SourceForge. SourceForge is an Open Source community resource dedicated to helping open source projects be as successful as possible. GnuCOBOL (formerly OpenCOBOL) is a COBOL compiler with run time support. The compiler (cobc) translates COBOL source to executable using intermediate C, designated C compiler and linker. This link will require an Internet Connection.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Glossary of Terms

Check out  The SimoTime Glossary  for a list of terms and definitions used in the documents provided by SimoTime.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Contact or Feedback

This document was created and is maintained by SimoTime Technologies. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or feedback please use the following contact information.

1. Send an e-mail to our helpdesk.
1.1. helpdesk@simotime.com.
2. Our telephone numbers are as follows.
2.1. 1 415 763-9430 office-helpdesk
2.2. 1 415 827-7045 mobile

 

We appreciate hearing from you.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Company Overview

SimoTime Technologies was founded in 1987 and is a privately owned company. We specialize in the creation and deployment of business applications using new or existing technologies and services. We have a team of individuals that understand the broad range of technologies being used in today's environments. Our customers include small businesses using Internet technologies to corporations using very large mainframe systems.

Quite often, to reach larger markets or provide a higher level of service to existing customers it requires the newer Internet technologies to work in a complementary manner with existing corporate mainframe systems. We specialize in preparing applications and the associated data that are currently residing on a single platform to be distributed across a variety of platforms.

Preparing the application programs will require the transfer of source members that will be compiled and deployed on the target platform. The data will need to be transferred between the systems and may need to be converted and validated at various stages within the process. SimoTime has the technology, services and experience to assist in the application and data management tasks involved with doing business in a multi-system environment.

Whether you want to use the Internet to expand into new market segments or as a delivery vehicle for existing business functions simply give us a call or check the web site at http://www.simotime.com

Return-to-Top
File Transfer Protocol (FTP), a List of FTP Commands
Copyright © 1987-2025
SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved
When technology complements business
http://www.simotime.com