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CHAPTER1.DQC
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CHAPTER1.DOC
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2000-06-30
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Chapter 1 - Foreword
Introduction to ConIX, how to use this manual, and some
information regarding your version of ConIX.
- CONTENTS -
__________________________________________________________________
1. Foreword............................................... 1-1
1.1 The Implementation.................................. 1-1
1.2 About the Manual.................................... 1-2
1.2.1 Learning How To Use ConIX....................... 1-2
1.3 The Distribution Files.............................. 1-3
- i -
ConIX Operating System Foreword
1. Foreword
In recent years, CP/M(tm) has become the industry standard
Operating System for most 8080, 8085 and Z80-based microcomputer
systems. CP/M has been around since the mid to late seventies, at
the time that disk systems were first being developed for micros.
The bulk of the original design is still found in version 2.2
which is being used to date.
Since the time CP/M was created, new concepts in operating system
technology have been developed. Unfortunately, CP/M, for the most
part, represents the older ``bare essentials'' style of operating
systems. Most programmers shy away at the thought of replacing
it, since there is probably no significant change that can be made
without losing compatibility with existing software. There have
been a few attempts, but nobody can jar the foot-hold CP/M has
taken on the microcomputer industry.
You may have heard about UNIX(tm), the revolutionary new Operating
System developed by AT&T Bell Labs for many large-scale
minicomputers. UNIX represents the latest innovation in operating
system software and is rapidly growing in popularity. Shell, the
program which interfaces UNIX to the user, is by far one of its
strongest points. It would be great if UNIX and Shell could run
on an 8-bit micro, but they can't, because of inherent limitations
in hardware speed and scope.
ConIX(tm) is an Operating System designed specifically for CP/M
microcomputers and has been modeled, in part, after the innovative
software technology of the UNIX shell. Surprisingly, ConIX
implements many of its most popular features. Surprising, because
most people are content in the belief that their micro can't do
the kinds of things that bigger and more expensive systems can.
Well, to some extent, we will be able to prove otherwise.
1.1 The Implementation
Maintaining compatibility with existing software was of primary
importance during the many design stages of ConIX. Great care was
taken in implementing all the ConIX features around the existing
architecture. It is for this reason that programs and data used
with CP/M-80 are upward compatible with ConIX, and can be utilized
without modification.
One reason for the high degree of compatibility is that ConIX does
not actually replace the CP/M BDOS, but merely controls it. We
can understand ConIX as using CP/M in much the same way that CP/M
uses its BIOS. Under ConIX, all the system dependent operations
are left for CP/M and the BIOS to perform. These functions, which
are transparent to the user, include the disk I/O operations,
console I/O, etc. ConIX intercepts requests for such operations
from the running program and processes them internally before
passing them along to CP/M.
1-1
Foreword ConIX Operating System
ConIX itself acts as a replacement for the Console Command
Processor (CCP), the part of CP/M that accepts and processes user
commands. The CCP contains some built-in functions such as
DIRectory, ERAse, and REName, as well as the ability to execute
programs stored on disk. ConIX also provides all of the above
``standard'' operations, as well as many, many more.
We call ConIX an Operating System because it is in total control
of all system hardware and software, and all programs must pass
through it when they are running. ConIX also offers access to
internal data and routines in the form of added System Calls,
which programs can use to take advantage of special built-in
features. ConIX represents a new way of life for your CP/M-based
computer, providing it with more power and flexibility than you've
ever imagined!
1.2 About the Manual
This is an Instructional Manual which will explain the basics of
ConIX to the new user. Some working knowledge of CP/M will be
assumed. If you do not have a good background in CP/M, we suggest
you read one of the many books that have been published as
introductory courses.
Any new concepts presented in this manual will, generally, be
explained with little or no prior programming knowledge assumed.
This may be a bit slow for the experienced programmer, but we
highly recommend that even he take the time to read the contents
thoroughly.
Examples are presented with frequency throughout this manual.
Some are self-explanatory, but others may not be as trivial. We,
therefore, suggest you try them out as you read along to see,
first hand, how they work. If you work with the manual and your
computer, you are more likely to remember what you have read and
with a much better understanding.
1.2.1 Learning How To Use ConIX
ConIX is a program with many features and, as tradition dictates,
the more features, the more difficult it is to learn. However,
since most of the old CP/M environment is supported, there is a
minimal amount that you must learn at the very beginning. You can
teach yourself how to use ConIX at your own pace, and explore
different areas and functions as the needs to use them arise.
If you're going to take the popular approach to manuals, namely
``read it as you need it'', then there are a few sections you
really should learn right away. They are Chapter 2 - Getting
Started, Chapter 3 - The Command Line, and Chapter 4 - Memory
Management. These sections will lay the basic groundwork for new
ConIX users.
1-2
ConIX Operating System Foreword
1.3 The Distribution Files
The distribution files supplied with the ConIX Shareware package
contain various programs and files associated with its
installation and usage. These files are to be stored in user area
0.
The file README.DOC contains a listing and short description of
each file provided. Any additions or revisions that were made to
the ConIX Distribution after the printing of this manual will be
reported in the file ERRATA.DOC. Please examine this file, if
provided, and note the chapters and sections which contain the
changes. In addition, any other .DOC files supplied on disk may
contain important information regarding your system, and should be
examined carefully.
1-3
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