Introduction to NeOS
(C) 1999, Brainwave Corp. / XPJ
__________________________________________
From the Editor:
Many have probably already heard about the new
operating system for the Spectrum - NeOS;
to learn more about us
offer you a description of the system provided to us directly
by authors This project ...
*
So, what is NeOS? This new operating system for all of the
Spectrum-compatible computers. And NeOS - the system is much
higher than all the existing ones.
What prompted us to write a new system?
The first is, of course, the absence of a full-fledged DOS
on the Spectrum. In Basically, iS-DOS can be considered as
such, but that it was originally written for
48K machines, covers many of its advantages over the TR-DOS,
which actually is not even DOS, and simply replaces
Transactions with tape drive.
Another important goal is to create
facilitating the work of the programmer. Especially
system needs the authors system, network and
of such programs. Under the TR-DOS, they had to work with
byte-files, mouse support, an elementary user interface to
write their own. Now, many their care will take NeOS. Thus the
programmer can no longer pay attention to the program, which
will reduce the during program development and improve their
quality.
And finally, third, no less important
reason is the desire to create NeOS
to overcome the incompatibility of different
Spectrum models and different hardware.
All Spectrum memory over 128K are working with it in different
ways. Therefore, programmers had to either support all types of
computers, or deprive someone. NeOS
also allows you to forget about all the problems with memory.
And all the programs written by NeOS, go to any computer with
This OS.
But not only the memory is incompatible
Spectrum. To date, there
many different connection schemes for various hardware. Among
them there are schemes connecting the same, but different
ways. Naturally, such improvements
are incompatible. AND
Again, all the difficulties lie in the programmer. But NeOS
lets get rid of this complexity. The most common
device installed standard drivers.
It is therefore possible to invent their own
connection scheme, such as a mouse, a driver, and all the
programs under NeOS free to be able to work with the mouse.
Here's a short list of possibilities,
which provides NeOS for users and programmers:
- Placing the system into the ROM with all
standard drivers;
- To work with directories;
- Ability to work with file names of up to 16 characters
with three-character extension;
- Work with files of any length
(Up to 4GB);
- Multisystem file (see below);
- Full memory management (scaling in the selection);
- Chain-system drivers;
- A simple command interpreter
allows you to perform basic operations management system.
One of the most interesting features is its file NeOS
multisystem. Ie NeOS can work with any file system, the main
thing that had installed in the system driver. Thus, there is
nothing stopping work in conjunction with TR-DOS, iS-DOS,
MS-DOS disks without making between them is absolutely no
difference. Care of the compatibility takes a system. That is
why the copiers type TR-DOS <-> MS-DOS absolutely no need to
NeOS, such operations can be performed in a standard commander,
for the system.
Another useful feature is the chain structure of the
drivers. Ie in memory is not as such a table of drivers
as if they are united in "chain": the beginning of each driver
is stored in the reference next. Thus, the number of drivers
which can be installed in the system is limited only by
available memory.
For the programmer, the system is
a set of standard functions. Call
functions carried out by the so-called kernalya. Kernal - is
the table of transitions to function at a specific point Rom.
This ensures full compatibility between different versions of
NeOS, as kernal will always be located in a fixed place and
from one version to the address old functions will not change.
NeOS function can be divided into several
major groups:
- System functions;
- Functions to work with drivers and libraries;
- Functions to the screen;
- The function of memory;
- Disk function;
- Manager of errors;
- Other functions;
As with any operating system, NeOS
has the system variables. Since their location can be
inconveniencing a programmer, then it was decided to make the
area of system variables are moving. Appeal to them is
through the register IY. You can not move only a small block of
variables (about 50 bytes).
NeOS will not stand still, and will
actively develop. And we are facing
two main objectives:
- Global optimization system
speed and volume;
- Implementation psevdomnogozadachnosti;
It was just a very brief summary of NeOS, in more detail
about It can check the documentation for programmers and users.
Megus of Brainwave
