Operating systems for microcomputers: good, bad, and non-existant

Abstract

Microcomputers are becoming an important area of study in computer science, as their quantities in-crease, their prices decrease, and they become more common and distributed throughout society. Yet perhaps the least considered and developed area of microcomputer systems is that of their operating systems.In this paper will be an attempt to classify currently available operating systems into three categories. First is the machine without any specific group of software known as an operating system. However, key firmware packages contain services something akin to OS primitives. Second is the primitive system usually readily available, perhaps at no charge, with an OEM hardware device. This type of operating system typically supports this OEM device, some system console device, and a limited set of commands, and it also manages some basic file structure. The third type is also the most advanced type available -- the full-scope operating system, such as Digital Research CP/M. This type provides both a software standard compatible across machines and a full set of features including expandability, a complex file structure, and an ability to support many devices.Besides describing the categories involved, this paper will also cite typical examples, describe current problems, and suggest areas for future improvement as this field advances.