Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 9th Apr 2008 17:16 UTC, submitted by M-Saunders
OSNews, Generic OSes MikeOS 1.3.0 has been released, with a new Minicom-like serial terminal program, a PCX image viewer, and many updates to the system calls and documentation. MikeOS is designed to teach x86 assembly language and basic OS construction, as detailed in the Handbook.
E-mail Print r 5   6 Comment(s)
Order by: Score:
Comment by primelight@live.com
by primelight@live.com (0.92) on Wed 9th Apr 2008 17:45 UTC
primelight@live.com
Member since:
2008-03-19
Fans: 0

A 32-bit asm os (yes, those exists) would be a bit more relevant for tutoring assembly these days.

Who wants paragraphs in 2008?

RE: Comment by primelight@live.com
by M-Saunders (2.33) on Wed 9th Apr 2008 18:57 UTC in reply to "Comment by primelight@live.com"
M-Saunders Member since:
2007-09-17
Fans: 1

I guess by paragraphs you're referring to segments. Yes, segments are horrible in real mode, but it doesn't affect MikeOS because the kernel (and loaded programs) reside in a single 64K segment. So that isn't a problem.

Regarding 32-bit, please see the FAQ section of the Handbook. In summary: 32-bit is naturally better if you want to write a full, serious, general-purpose OS. But when you're learning x86 assembly and want to piece together your own OS, 16-bit real mode is much better, because you have access to the BIOS.

This means that you can focus on doing interesting stuff (loading programs, making new system calls) instead of spending the first few months writing tedious keyboard and floppy drivers.

RE[2]: Comment by primelight@live.com
by memson (2.44) on Thu 10th Apr 2008 09:07 UTC in reply to "RE: Comment by primelight@live.com"
memson Member since:
2006-01-01
Fans: 2

The BIOS will go at some point in the forseeable future. Relying on it existing is not a sound assumption. You would benefit more from writing the drivers and severing the 16-bit restrictions.

M-Saunders Member since:
2007-09-17
Fans: 1

It'll still be around for a few years, and in that time I'm going to keep the OS as simple as possible :-)

RE: Comment by primelight@live.com
by Rugxulo (1.36) on Wed 9th Apr 2008 21:26 UTC in reply to "Comment by primelight@live.com"
Rugxulo Member since:
2007-10-09
Fans: 0

There are 32-bit asm OSes, yes, but since 16-bit is still compatible (and hey, if it works, it works), that's fine too. To each his/her own.

http://octavio.vega.fernandez.googlepages.com/octaos
http://www.dex4u.com

"OMG, teh operateeng seestem iz naht uzeeng teh SSE3, eet moost be keeled!" ;-)

Viva la MikeOS! :-)

Comment by primelight@live.com
by primelight@live.com (0.92) on Wed 9th Apr 2008 20:44 UTC
primelight@live.com
Member since:
2008-03-19
Fans: 0

"guess by paragraphs you're referring to segments."

No, I mean paragraphs as explained here:
http://userpages.wittenberg.edu/bshelburne/Comp255S/Intel01.htm

Just a funny name for a 16 byte boundary under x86 real mode.