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dos: Definition and Recommended Links

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Disk Operating System (specifically) and disk operating system (generically), most often abbreviated as DOS (not to be confused with the DOS family of disk operating systems for the IBM PC compatible platform), refer to operating system software used in most computers that provides the abstraction and management of secondary storage devices and the information on them (e.g., file systems for organizing files of all sorts). Such software is referred to as a disk operating system when the storage devices it manages are made of rotating platters (such as hard disks or floppy disks).

In the early days of microcomputing, memory space was often limited, so the disk operating system was an extension of the operating system. This component was only loaded if needed. Otherwise, disk-access would be limited to low-level operations such as reading and writing disks at the sector-level.

In some cases, the disk operating system component (or even the operating system) was known as DOS.

Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_operating_system)

other great electronics sites:ee toolbox site

• • dos
    • Disk Operating System (specifically) and disk operating system (generically), most often abbreviated as DOS (not to be confused with the DOS family of disk operating systems for the IBM PC compatible platform), refer to operating system software used in most computers that provides the abstraction and management of secondary storage devices and the information on them (e.g., file systems for organizing files of all sorts). Such software is referred to as a disk operating system when the storage devices it manages are made of rotating platters (such as hard disks or floppy disks).

      In the early days of microcomputing, memory space was often limited, so the disk operating system was an extension of the operating system. This component was only loaded if needed. Otherwise, disk-access would be limited to low-level operations such as reading and writing disks at the sector-level.

      In some cases, the disk operating system component (or even the operating system) was known as DOS.

      Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_operating_system)

      (Note: The Electronic Engineers Toolbox provides an alternative set of featured links for this word at http://www.cera2.com/dos.htm)

      Featured Links:

      ROM Dos Demo (Free Version)

      The ROM-DOS Single User Version is a Free DOS solution perfect for desktop users and OEMs wanting a single seat drop in replacement DOS. The ROM-DOS Single User Version includes both 6.22 and 7.1 kernels. Long File Names (LFN) are supported along with a full DOS utility suite and is available for electronic download. Documentation is provided in electronic form.
      http://datalight.com/products/romdos/productdetails_su.php

      comp.os.msdos.programmer FAQ

      Basic FAQ on DOS and DOS programming issues. This is the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) list for the newsgroup comp.os.msdos.programmer. This list is maintained in versions; new questions and revised questions in this version are not marked do to the restructuring of the FAQ; however, in future versions new or revised questions will be marked with "NEW" or "REVISED" in the subject.
      http://www.stratoware.com/msdos/

      Project: RxDOS

      RxDOS is a fast MS-DOS clone that supports very large disk drives, FAT32 volumes, and Windows 95/98 Long Filenames Development Status: 4 - Beta Intended Audience: Developers, End Users/Desktop
      http://sourceforge.net/projects/rxdos

      Unofficial Dr. DOS Site

      If you are a DOS beginner, this file might help you: http://docdos.net/install If you have got problems, questions etc. concerning DOS send an e-mail to webmaster@drdos.net, use the DR-DOS Forum (DR-DOS Forum in German language: here) or subscribe to the OpenDOS mailing list (send an e-mail to listserv@delorie.com with the text add opendos or add opendos-digest in the body).
      http://www.drdos.net/

      OpenDOS FAQ list

      OpenDOS is a clone of the popular MS-DOS operating system. Like MS-DOS, it is a 16 bit OS, and includes the full range of standard utilities (sort, chkdsk, etc), most of which are improvements over their counterparts supplied with MS-DOS.
      http://www.delorie.com/opendos/faq/

      PC DOS 7 Technical Update

      This book is a technical reference, upgraded from IBM DOS 5.02 and written for DOS programmers, who develop applications for IBM Personal Computers or compatible systems. The program developer should be competent on the IBM Personal Computer and/or the Personal System/2 and should be familiar with DOS and at least one personal computer programming language.
      http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/gg244459.html

      RxDOS

      RxDOS is a fast MS-DOS clone that supports very large disk drives, FAT32 volumes, and Windows 95/98 Long Filenames
      http://sourceforge.net/projects/rxdos/

      DOS @ Wikipedia

      DOS, short for 'Disk Operating System',[1] is a shorthand term for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions Windows 95, 98, and Me. Related systems include MS-DOS, PC-DOS, DR-DOS, FreeDOS, PTS-DOS, ROM-DOS, JM-OS, and several others. In spite of the common usage, none of these...
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOS

      Unofficial OpenDOS Home Page

      All sorts of information on OpenDOS including an FAQ.
      http://www.deltasoft.com/opendos.htm

      Interesting DOS programs

      Here are several links to various DOS software and other DOS related websites. Most are freeware but a few are shareware and commercial programs. I welcome any comments and/or suggestions you may have about this webpage or other DOS programs for me to know about. Also, do email a thank you to the authors of any of the programs you use.
      http://www.opus.co.tt/dave/index.htm

      Explanation: these links are provided as part of our EE glossary project, which seeks to identify the most prominent keywords in embedded systems, embedded software, realtime and rtos, dsp (digital signal processing), system-on-a-chip, microprocessors and microcontrollers, and other constituent elements for embedded systems. While we seek to keep most of the links up-to-date, the user is refered to other primary electronic-based search sites such as: cera2.com, embedded.com, or EDN Magazine. If you have any suggestions of links or definitions, please email!

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