--- title: Common Terms and Commands slug: help/en-us/dairycomp/common-terms-and-commands docTags: createdAt: 2026-01-26T11:43:18.104Z --- **Question**: Do you have a summary of terms and commands that are commonly used in DairyComp? **Answer**: Absolutely! Expand the topics below to learn more about the terms, commands, etc., that you will commonly use in DairyComp: :::ExpandableHeading ## Common Terms | **Term** | **Definition** | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Hardlock** | Must be attached for program to run, determines type of program, usually USB. | | **C:\DairyComp** ,
**C:\DCCON**,
**C:\DCCCLIENT,**
or
**C:\DC**
**** | The location of the files that run the program. See [Install DC305 on a New Computer](docId\:KlYUAjxjhk6pCDc6TSmxj) to learn more. | | **C:\HERDS** | The location of the data files for each herd. See [Backup DC305 Data ](docId\:sy3BWpN1jq4Q1TEO1mLPt)to learn more. | | **COWFILE** | A data file used by DairyComp. Can only be read or opened by DairyComp. Can be DAT format (current data) or ARC format (past/historical data). | | **Basis** or **Basis File** | A template used to make a new, empty cowfile | | **Command Line** | Area located near the top of the DairyComp window that allows users to look up data, enter information, and edit settings. This feature is unique and original to DairyComp. See [Command Line](docId\:u_NbRVeQbF6NzSP1bc9E0) to learn more. | | **Menus** | Sets of options located at the top of the DairyComp screen that allow the user to find information or execute functions. | | **Outlook Bar** | Located at the left of the DairyComp window and used as a second option to locate and run reports. | | **CowCard** | The record of an animal in DairyComp. See [CowCards](docId:4FlckrZg9SH1PCzt0xy74) to learn more. | | **Item** | A single piece of information about an animal. Can be stored or calculated. Examples include, ID, PEN, DIM, and DCC. See [Items Tabs](docId:-_Od5C1wmDBlyvcDLN4P2) to learn more. | | **Command** | An action in DairyComp to perform data entry or run a list, summary, or graph. See [Command Line](docId\:u_NbRVeQbF6NzSP1bc9E0) to learn more. | | **Event** | An action that happens to an animal. An event can be related to reproduction, diseases, or management actions. See [Events Tab](docId\:DFfsRgO-1rWzRvbyMoNEW) to learn more. | | **ALTER** | A command that allows you to customize the application's reports and operations specific to the current cowfile. See [ALTER OverviewALTER Overview](docId:1MW1mvF3HJ2V-u2QoXzl0) to learn more. | | **SETUP** | A command that allows you to change menus, backups, printers, options, and other factors that affect all cowfiles. See [SETUP CommandSETUP Command](docId\:CtI1V3j5GOytWLrWXShEZ) to learn more. | | **LOGON** | A command used to switch to a different cowfile. | | **CREATE** | A command used to generate a new, empty cowfile. | | **ABSORB** | A command used to pull the item and event from one cowfile into another cowfile. | ::: ::::ExpandableHeading ## Common Items See the table below for the most commonly used items in DairyComp: | AGE | Age in Months | ****MILK | Current testday milk | | ----- | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | | BDAT | Birth date | PCTF | Percent fat at last test | | CDAT | Conception date | PCTP | Percent protein at last test | | DCC | Days carry calf if pregnant | PEN | Pen or string number | | DDAT | Dry date | RC | Repro code (numeric 0-8) | | DIM | Days in milk | RPRO | Repro code in English | | DSLH | Days since last heat | SCC | Somatic cell count | | DUE | Date due to freshen | SID | Sire identification | | FDAT | Fresh date | SIRC | Sire of conception | | HDAT | Heat date | TBRD | | | ID | Animal identification number | TDAT | Most recent test date | | LACT | Lactation number | VDAT | Date of last vet check | :::hint{type="info"} **NOTE: **To view a complete list of the items configured for your DairyComp system, use the ALTER\2 command to open the Item definitions window. From there you can add, change, or delete items. ::: :::: :::ExpandableHeading{isOpen="true"} ## Reproduction (Repro) Codes 0 = VIRGIN HEIFER 1 = DO NOT BREED (DNB) 2 = FRESH 3 = OK/OPEN 4 = BRED 5 = PREG 6 = DRY 7 = SOLD/DIED 8 = BULL CALF (MALE) See [Reproductive Codes](docId\:ZBIlGIjF5Jc7u39hwi4Hs) to learn more. ::: :::ExpandableHeading ## Summary of Commands | \&#xNAN;**ALTER** | Configuration module or all customizations of items, commands, pens, events, and so on. | | -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **BREDSUM** | Used to examine the effectiveness of a breeding program. Switches include the following:\T = By Technician\O = By Breeding Code\B = By Number of Times Bred\I = Interval Analysis\N = By Cycle Number\E = 21 Day Heat Trial\Y = Include Heifers\V# = Voluntary Waiting Period\U = Bullpen Preg Rates\UR = Bullpen by 21 Days\A = Assume All Breedings\D or \D# = Select Date Range\X = Cross Measure 2 Variables | | \&#xNAN;**CHKFILE** | Utility to search for animal IDs, show available ID numbers, or fix corrupted animal records. | | \&#xNAN;**COWVAL** | Estimate an animal's value within the herd relative to an average fresh heifer. Also calculates the animal's pregnancy value. | | \&#xNAN;**ECON** | Utility used to calculate economic factors. Switches include the following:\E = Lists of animals with certain events within a certain time frame\I or \IR (\R with cull rate) = Calf summary table for last 365 days by month\ID = Table of all events for last 365 days by month\S = Table of all events for last 365 days by DIM | | **EGRAPH** | Graph of data from events. Can be done by calendar date, DIM for animals, or AGE for heifers. Can also graph remarks of the event instead of count of events. | | \&#xNAN;**EPLOT** | Used to graph body scores, height and weight measurements. | | **EVENTS** | Used to view a list or table of events for different time periods and parameters. Switches include the following:\2SI = Lists of animals with certain events within a certain time frame\3 = Calf summary table for last 365 days by month\5 = Table of all events for last 365 days by month\6 = Table of all events for last 365 days by DIM\7 = Table of all events for last 365 days by month of fresh | | \&#xNAN;**FILEOUT** | Used to export data items to CSV or TXT files. | | **GRAPH** | Used to graph one item by itself (histogram) or multiple against each other (scatter graph). | | **LIST /SHOW** | Used to create a listing of animals with certain items and conditions, within a specified sorting order. | | \&#xNAN;**MONITOR** | Procedure that lets you define, calculate, and report a group of herd management statistics. Typically run at the beginning of the month. | | \&#xNAN;**PCT** | Percent command is used to calculate the number of animals in the first condition that meet the conditions for the second list. | | \&#xNAN;**PLOT** | Used to graph test day information by test date or by DIM. | | **SIRES** | Used to look at or generate reports on the latest sire NAAB production and type proofs. | | **SUM** | Used to get averages for certain items or number of animals within certain groups. | ::: :::ExpandableHeading ## Download PDF Quick Reference Guides | **Quick Reference** | **Download** | | ------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | DairyComp Command Syntax Quick Reference Guide |
:inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/RQNzvLdrFssFZdhKAAs-F_download-img-cmd-syntax.png" alt caption size="32" width="266" height="175"}
[Download](https://archbee-doc-uploads.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/Og6uyOkDSRo9DTjyyWF32-20260320-073857.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256\&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD\&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAYQNQCIXNP4ETOSXW%2F20260320%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request\&X-Amz-Date=20260320T074333Z\&X-Amz-Expires=86400\&X-Amz-Signature=ab80afbfb07a29413fe75ca1a2972ffb0ae90edd83f31a0c7c6ad934dfc2ef0c\&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host\&response-content-disposition=attachment%3B%20filename%3D%22DC305-CommandLineQuickRef.pdf%22\&x-amz-checksum-mode=ENABLED\&x-id=GetObject) | | DairyComp Command Verbs and Switches | :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/r_XlKOKnG5p1dHn3MEPcV_download-img-cmd-verbs-switches.png" alt caption size="32" width="158" height="201"}
[Download](https://archbee-doc-uploads.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/8ANR8512U0_MwHzG20QUx-20260320-074349.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256\&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD\&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAYQNQCIXNP4ETOSXW%2F20260320%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request\&X-Amz-Date=20260320T074358Z\&X-Amz-Expires=86400\&X-Amz-Signature=8d803b1bb9d48f053ac39bd62be90c76017269ff0dfdd488d5d55c8fe26aebfa\&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host\&response-content-disposition=attachment%3B%20filename%3D%22DC305-VerbsAndSwitches.pdf%22\&x-amz-checksum-mode=ENABLED\&x-id=GetObject) | | DairyComp Vocabulary | :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/WOtFDi5-LsrSUCdunV-Id_dcvocab.png" alt caption size="32" width="287" height="211"}
[Download](https://archbee-doc-uploads.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/RX-XOMXuFc9c4Cm0PKW3x-20260320-080615.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256\&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD\&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAYQNQCIXNP4ETOSXW%2F20260320%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request\&X-Amz-Date=20260320T080618Z\&X-Amz-Expires=86400\&X-Amz-Signature=bea63ede48252fb6467557eec172dadedb68ab25a100094b73c719af5f4c824c\&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host\&response-content-disposition=attachment%3B%20filename%3D%22DC305%20Vocabulary%20and%20Command%20Summary.pdf%22\&x-amz-checksum-mode=ENABLED\&x-id=GetObject) | :::