MS-DOS

MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) is a single-user, single-

tasking computer operating system that uses a command line interface. In spite of
its very small size and relative simplicity, it is one of the most successful operating
systems that has been developed to date.

A Quick and Dirty History

When IBM launched its revolutionary personal computer, the IBM PC, in August
1981, it came complete with a 16-bit operating system from Microsoft, MS-DOS
1.0. This was Microsoft's first operating system, and it also became the first widely
used operating system for the IBM PC and its clones.
MS-DOS 1.0 was actually a renamed version of QDOS (Quick and Dirty
Operating System), which Microsoft bought from a Seattle company, appropriately
named Seattle Computer Products, in July 1981. QDOS had been developed as a
clone of the CP/M eight-bit operating system in order to provide compatibility with
the popular business applications of the day such as WordStar and dBase. CP/M
(Control Program for Microcomputers) was written by Gary Kildall of Digital
Research several years earlier and had become the first operating system for
microcomputers in general use.
QDOS was written by Tim Paterson, a Seattle Computer Products employee, for
the new Intel 16-bit 8086 CPU (central processing unit), and the first version was
shipped in August, 1980. Although it was completed in a mere six weeks, QDOS
was sufficiently different from CP/M to be considered legal. Paterson was later
hired by Microsoft.
Microsoft initially kept the IBM deal a secret from Seattle Computer Products.
And in what was to become another extremely fortuitous move, Bill Gates, the not
uncontroversial co-founder of Microsoft, persuaded IBM to let his company retain
marketing rights for the operating system separately from the IBM PC project.
Microsoft renamed it PC-DOS (the IBM version) and MS-DOS (the Microsoft
version). The two versions were initially nearly identical, but they eventually
diverged.
The acronym DOS was not new even then. It had originally been used by IBM in
the 1960s in the name of an operating system (i.e., DOS/360) for its System/360
computer. At that time the use of disks for storing the operating system
and data was considered cutting edge technology.
Until its acquisition of QDOS, Microsoft had been mainly a vendor of computer
programming languages. Gates and co-founder Paul Allen had written Microsoft
BASIC and were selling it on disks and tape mostly to PC hobbyists.
MS-DOS soared in popularity with the surge in the PC market. Revenue from its
sales fueled Microsoft's phenomenal growth, and MS-DOS was the key to
company's rapid emergence as the dominant firm in the software industry. This
product continued to be the largest single contributor to Microsoft's income well
after it had become more famous for Windows.
Subsequent versions of MS-DOS featured improved performance and additional
functions, not a few of which were copied from other operating systems. For
example, version 1.25, released in 1982, added support for double-sided disks,
thereby eliminating the need to manually turn the disks over to access the reverse
side.
Version 2.0, released the next year, added support for directories, for IBM's then
huge 10MB hard disk drive (HDD) and for 360KB, 5.25-inch floppy disks. This
was followed by version 2.11 later in the same year, which added support for
foreign and extended characters.
Version 3.0, launched in 1984, added support for 1.2MB floppy disks and 32MB
HDDs. This was soon followed by version 3.1, which added support for networks.
Additions and improvements in subsequent versions included support for multiple
HDD partitions, for disk compression and for larger partitions as well as an
improved disk-checking utility, enhanced memory management, a disk
defragmenter and an improved text editor.
The final major version was 7.0, which was released in 1995 as part of Microsoft
Windows 95. It featured close integration with that operating system, including
support for long filenames and the removal of numerous utilities, some of which
were on the Windows 95 CDROM. It was revised in 1997 with version 7.1, which
added support for the FAT32filesystem on HDDs.
Although many of the features were copied from UNIX, MS-DOS was never able
to come anywhere close to UNIX in terms of performance or features. For
example, MS-DOS never became a serious multi-user or multitasking operating
system (both of which were core features of UNIX right from the start) in spite of
attempts to retrofit these capabilities. Multitasking is the ability for a computer to
run two or more programs simultaneously.

DOS Commands
MS-DOS has a relatively small number of commands, and an even smaller number
of commonly used ones. Moreover, these commands are generally inflexible
because, in contrast to Linux and other Unix-like operating systems, they are
designed to accommodate few options or arguments (i.e., values that can be passed
to the commands).
Some of the most common commands are as follows (corresponding commands on
Unix-like operating systems are shown in parenthesis):
CD - changes the current directory
COPY - copies a file
DEL - deletes a file.
DIR - lists directory contents
EDIT - starts an editor to create or edit plain text files
FORMAT - formats a disk to accept DOS files
HELP - displays information about a command
MKDIR - creates a new directory
RD - removes a directory
REN - renames a file
TYPE - displays contents of a file on the screen

WINDOWS
Windows has been a mainstay in the computer market for so long that it's nearly
impossible to imagine life without it. As the world's most popular operating
system, it enjoys huge success, but that success wasn't easily attained. Bumps
along the way are what helped Windows move from an obscure operating system
to the dominating power in computers it is today. Check out some of the past
versions and features that paved the road to Windows 8.
Windows 1.0: The very first version of Windows, Windows 1.0, was a basic
interface that used "gadgets," like the calendar and calculator, but it gained little
popularity. Released in 1985, the system had basic functionality and introduced the
first version of MS Paint and a primitive word processor.
Windows 2.0: Released in 1987, the next version of Windows wasn't much better
than the first. While it did introduce two current staples – Excel and Word – to
users, this version came under fire when Macintosh sued Microsoft for mimicking
the look and feel of their current operating system. The lawsuit was eventually
dropped
Windows 3.0: The third time's the charm, they say, and that adage was proven
with Windows' third release. The introduction of virtual memory, improved
graphics, and the ability to multitask helped propel Windows to sell 10 million
copies. In fact, while it was released in 1990, Windows 3.0 wasn't discontinued
until 2001.
Windows 3.1: A pseudo-release for Microsoft, Windows 3.1 contained necessary
fixes and improved font functionality. Meanwhile, Microsoft continued to develop
a new release, Windows NT, hoping it could be released as a continuation of
Windows 3.0 and 3.1. Unfortunately, issues with driver support and software
meant that it was time for a new version altogether.
Windows 95: Marking the change from 16-bit to 32-bit, Windows 95 was
designed for increased compatibility and ultimate user-friendliness. As it became
clear that consumer computers would become the future, Windows 95 was offered
on newer computers only because it lacked some backwards compatibility at first.
Newer releases and patches later made the version easier to use on older machines,
but by 1995, Microsoft had achieved a more widespread interest in home
computers.
Windows 4.0: The follow-up to Windows 3.0, Windows 4.0 was released in 1996
with minor improvements and is not considered a major Windows release.
Windows 98: As consumer computers became more widespread, Windows 98
included improved hardware and hardware drivers, Internet Explorer, and
eventually, Internet connection sharing. Released in 1998, with a new release in
1999, Microsoft 98 was the first release designed specifically for consumers, as
opposed to the business or technology set.
Windows 2000: Windows 2000 made everyone's lives easier by increasing the
number of plug and play devices compatible with the operating system. Windows
ME (Millennial Edition) was also released, offering the system recovery tool to
help return a crashed computer to its last known operating settings.
Windows XP: The system designed for ease and stability, Windows XP was
released in 2001, offering plenty of ease and functionality for laptop and desktop
users. The operating system was designed to offer users help through a
comprehensive help center, and it gave users the ability to consume a number of
different types of media.
Windows Vista: Widely considered a flop in technology circles, Windows Vista
was released in 2006. It had high system requirements and suffered issues
with performance and security. The operating system also tended to drain laptop
batteries. The version lasted only for three years, during which some users
downgraded back to XP to avoid the pitfalls of Vista.
Windows 7: For this current release of Windows, Microsoft learned its mistakes
with Vista and created an operating system with speed, stability and minimal
system requirements. Microsoft ditched the gadget bar from Vista, replacing it with
a cleaner feel. This version was released in 2009.
Windows 8: This latest Windows release is getting a lot of attention. With its
redesigned Metro-style user interface and Windows Store, this version is, once
again, redefining what Windows is. It also comes with integrated antivirus
protection, a virtual hard disk and a new platform based on HTML5 and
JavaScript. It promises faster boot time, touchscreen compatibility and the ability
to create a bootable USB flash drive. It may not be enough to get people to switch
from Windows 7, but at least it's a glimpse into the future of the Windows
operating system.