Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!att!cbnewsl!mjs
From: mjs@cbnewsl.ATT.COM (Mike Scheutzow)
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
Subject: Re: questions about MINIX
Message-ID: <722@cbnewsl.ATT.COM>
Date: 2 Jun 89 22:26:06 GMT
References: <1273@netcom.UUCP> <8905291913.AA04677@genie.csri.toronto.edu>
Organization: AT&T
Lines: 68

> Article 1595 of comp.os.minix:
> From: wayne@csri.toronto.edu (Wayne Hayes)
> I'm new to the ms-dos world, just having purchased an AT w/ 40MB hard drive.
> I'm excited about MINIX... small UNIX system with full source for $80. I have
> a few questions...
> 	Can I run regular ms-dos programs from within minix?
No.

> Can I put it on my hard drive (Miniscribe 3650)?
Probably.  You may even be able to read it back off the disk :-).
The most recent minix info-sheet has this comment ('hd cnt' means
'disk head count':

Miniscribe 3650/WD1003-WA2 HDC  v1.1&v1.2 ok, (fix fsck hd cnt) [edhall]

> If I partition my hard drive correctly,
> can I still boot up regular ms-dos ignoring the minix partition?
Yes.  My preferred method is to boot minix from a floppy.  MS-DOS boots
if there is no disk in drive A:.

> 	And what address do I write to (Prenice-Hall?) to order minix?
Order by telephone number (201) 767-5937 using a credit card.  Be aware
that the operators think of this as a 'book', so ask him/her to read back
the exact 'title'.  You're looking for:
     MINIX for 512K IBM PC/AT                $79.95  (0-13-583303-5)

I consider Andrew Tannenbaum's textbook "Operating Sytems: Design and
Implementation" to be required reading with this software.  The source disks
are somewhat lacking in startup instructions and man entries (not to mention
the root password).  The hardcover book costs about $40. 
     Title:       Operating Systems: Design and Implementation
     Author:      Andrew S. Tanenbaum
     Publisher:   Prentice-Hall
     ISBN:        0-13-637406-9   (Hardcover)
                  0-13-637331-3   (Paperback, outside of U.S. and Canada)

> 	I seem remember reading that some of it's commands use different
> syntax / command lines than UNIX. How much different?
MINIX is based on an older version of unix(tm) called Version 7.  I don't
think you'll have any problems if you already know any other unix(tm).
I haven't had any problems, but proper documentation is critical (Looking
at the source to figure out command-line options is a real pain.)

> 	And really important to me, is the c compiler ANSI?
No.  The compiler works, but it is still maturing.  It has little problems
like ignoring the 'static' keyword.

> Has anyone tried porting over GNU's gcc? 
Yes.  Lack of address space (only 64K segments) and lack of memory (640K is
a drop in the bucket for programs like this) make this a difficult task.

> 	And one more minor thing, mostly just curiosity: can I use
> the c compiler to generate (non-commercial) ms-dos runnable code as well
> as minix code?
Programs that stick to 'high level' interfaces (eg fopen()) and run on a
teletype-like device can be compatible at the c-code source level.  This 
means you need one compiler for minix and another for ms-dos.

Simple things like moving the cursor or reading unbuffered input are done
in completely different ways on the two systems.  The ms-dos compilers I
am aware of do not have unix-compatible libraries.

> 	Thanks in advance....
> 				Wayne Hayes
You're welcome.

Mike S.
att!cbnewsl!mjs