ZX Power #04 09 января 2000

Софт

Desktop - NEOS. The story about the new operating system for the Spectrum.

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