From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxf!schnable
Newsgroups: net.followup
Title: Re: What does UNIX stand for?
Article-I.D.: ihuxf.331
Posted: Fri Apr 15 10:57:55 1983
Received: Mon Apr 18 23:24:27 1983
References: <1279@utcsrgv.UUCP>

UNIX* is not an acronym. I belive its name was derived from
an earlier operating system by the name of Multics. UNIX was
influenced by the design of Multics; The following is taken
from the Bell System Technical Journal, July-Aug. 1978,
Vol. 57, No.6, Part 2, "The UNIX Time-Sharing System", by
D. M. Ritchie and K. Thompson,

	... On a number of points we were influenced by 
	Multics, which suggested the particular form of 
	the I/O system calls and both the name of the 
	shell and its general functions.

The above referenced Journal is a GOLD MINE of information.
A must have for the UNIX hacker.

As to why the UN in front of the IX, I do not know. Anyone
out there care to fill that part in?

* UNIX is a trademark of Bell Telephone Laboratories


Andy Schnable
IH BTL x2680
ihnp4!ihuxf!schnable