Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!mcrware!mwca!bill From: bill@mwca.UUCP (Bill Sheppard) Newsgroups: comp.os.os9 Subject: Re: what is the availability of os-9 software? Keywords: OS9 OSK Q&A CoCo Message-ID: <1836@mwca.UUCP> Date: 8 Apr 91 18:03:03 GMT References: <79@sandv.UUCP> <1991Apr4.172950.27763@bwdls61.bnr.ca> Organization: Microware Systems Corp., Santa Clara, CA Lines: 91 In article <1991Apr4.172950.27763@bwdls61.bnr.ca> pww@bnr.ca (Peter Whittaker) writes: >In article <79@sandv.UUCP> sysop@sandv.UUCP (System Operator Paul Jerkatis) writes: >>OS-9 is the "generic" term, which is usually used to refer to OS9/6809. OSK >>(OS9/68K) is the term used to refer to OS-9 for the 680x0 systems. OS-9000 is >>another flavor of OS-9 all together, which is for 80386 systems (and I >>believe it will run on 680x0 systems also) OS-9000 is written in C, wheras, >>OS9/6809 and OS9/68000 is written primarrily in assembler. >> > >So if I understand correctly, these are all more or less the same operating >system, available as binary only, from a variety of vendors, for a variety >of prices? You are partially correct. OS-9/68xxx is a new release of OS-9/6809, and is similar architecturally, but incorporates many improvements made possible by the more powerful hardware of a 68xxx processor. As a programmer you will find many similarities between OS-9/6809 and OS-9/68xxx, but they are not strictly compatible. The same relationship holds true between OS-9000 and OS-9/68xxx, though these two are generally source-level compatible. With OS-9, in most cases you purchase it (in binary form) from the manufacturer of the hardware you will run it on (Force, Heurikon, Radstone, Matrix, etc.). The major exceptions to this are Motorola VME boards and the Atari ST, for which you buy OS-9 directly from Microware or one of our distributors. In all cases you can buy additional development tools from us, such as debuggers, source code tools, graphics support, etc. In many cases you can also buy these tools from your hardware manufacturer (who has bought them from us). When you buy OS-9 or related tools from someone other than Microware directly the price is set by the seller. By the way, source code is available from us, but it generally isn't needed for most applications - you can write drivers, add system calls, etc. without it. >Next set of questions: > - in the case of OS/9000, how similar is it to OS/9? Generally architecturally similar, though some enhancements have been made in the area of I/O file managers, task scheduling, and a few other areas. Again, they are pretty much source-level compatible, drivers will need some modification. > - is it available in source form? (i.e. could I buy source, > compile it under OS/9, then run it on my CoCo3, so that when I > go to another machine, I will be able to retain all my favourite > utilities). OS-9000 couldn't run on a Coco, requires a 32-bit architecture. Besides, if you have the source to your favorite utilities you could recompile them under OS-9000 quite painlessly (we were able to recompile uMacs with no changes). > - is there an [online | hardcopy] document detailing the technical > merits of OS/9, OS/9K, and OS/9000, as well as their similarities > and differences? Call (800)475-9000, ask for an OS-9 or OS-9000 Catalog. Both are decent technical overviews of the respective operating systems, should provide most of the detial you need. > - on the issue of binary compatibility: is there any? More specifically, > are the compiled objects compatible, the linked objects compatible? > Are the C languages used on the three platforms compatible (better > yet, are they ANSI). There is binary compatibility regardless of what hardware you are using, as long as it's running the same OS. That is, if you are running OS-9/68000 on both an Atari ST and a Motorola VME board, the same object code can run on either, ignoring possible hardware differences like an FPU/MMU. When a hardware manufacturer (OEM) licenses OS-9 from us, they customize to their particular hardware (serial chips, disk controllers, memory layout, etc.). When this has been done properly the application software need not concern itself with the hardware particulars. Our C compilers between OS-9/68xxx and OS-9000 are compatible (source, not object). ANSI will be available for both soon. >And an unrelated question, has anyone build the GNU/FSF software under >[OS/9 | OS/9K | OS/9000]? Both GCC and G++ (for OS-9/68xxx) have been ported, others will need to respond regarding stability and availability. >Thanks, >Peter Whittaker Sure! -- ############################################################################## # Bill Sheppard -- bills@microware.com -- {uunet,sun}!mcrware!mwca!bill # # Microware Systems Corporation --- OS-9: Seven generations beyond OS/2!! # ######Opinions expressed are my own, though you'd be wise to adopt them!######