These are a leftover from DOS days:

C:>copy con blah.txt
This is a test.^Z
1 file(s) copied.

C:>type blah.txt
This is a test.

There are more; ones like: lpt1, lpt2, com1, com2, etc.
Michael Kedzierski | Homepage | 06/11/02 - 1:45 am | #

In Windows the 'con' device is the Console so it's always there. There is also 'prt' (printer) 'nul' (the null device as you guessed) and several others that I've forgotten. It's a throwback to the old DOS days.
Kevin McCravy | 06/11/02 - 1:46 am | #

Here's the full list:

AUX - First connected serial port
PRN - First connected parallel port
COM1 thru COM4 - Serial ports
LPT1 thru LPT3 - Parallel ports
CON - Keyboard and screen (console)
NUL - Dummy device
Kevin McCravy | 06/11/02 - 1:49 am | #

The COM? can actually go as high as there are serial ports. Ditto with LPT? devices.
Kevin McCravy | 06/11/02 - 1:50 am | #

Thanks to all who replied. I'd never coem across this before.
Fuzzyman | Homepage | 06/11/04 - 8:38 pm | #