jim@randvax.UUCP (08/23/84)
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I was at the Dallas announcement meeting last week, so I'm in a good position
to respond to the request for IBM's DOS 3.0/3.1 announcement. I'll
summarize:
DOS 3.0 (6024180)
Provides support for the AT hardware plus all functions contained in
the prior version of DOS (2.10). Does not replace DOS 2.10.
Supports national keyboards (what some of us might think of as "foreign").
It's upward-compatible with 2.10 and contains "maintenance updates" -
bug-fixes, I guess, but they aren't specified. Requires min 36K; 2.10
used 24K. New features are:
o File sharing on a per-file basis.
o Block locking: "provides the ability to restrict access to all or part of
a file when the file is opened in a shared mode.
o 2.1's background PRINT modified to support path specs and an "internal
programming interface". I hope that means we can keep it from doing the
obligatory form feed at the end.
o New interrupt 21H functions for "enhanced file management" (not specified)
o Enhanced error recovery
AT-specific features:
o Support for 1.2M diskette drives, non-volatile timer, larger fixed disk.
o BASIC modified
o Screen dump for other display interfaces and printers, including color prtr.
o RAM disk supports memory above 1M on the AT
o Large linker: up to 1M
o National keyboard stuff
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DOS 3.1 (6024211) - announced for 1Q84
3.1 will replace 3.0 when it becomes available. As JGL said, it is like 3.0
with the network enhancements thrown in. It may be worth noting that there
must be some network support in already - IBM was running a LAN of about half
a dozen PC's using DOS 3.0 and special software written for entering orders
at the meeting.
Features:
o Support for redirector: Allows addition of IBM PC Network file server
and print server package to DOS 3.1. This package is available separately
from DOS and requires the IBM PC Network hardware.
Provides the means by which a user can access printer and DASD devices
located on other computers on the IBM Network.
o New interrupt 21H functions: additional function calls providing support
for the network environment.
o Extended error recovery for the network environment
o Join: splicing of directories
o Subst: substitute string (a virtual drive name for a path name)
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Those are the highlights. Nothing about concurrent processing, which a lot
of us were expecting in what we were calling DOS 3.0 a few months ago.
However, the TopView program, which is announced for 1Q85, has concurrent
processes and windowing. The beta test version of TopView already has
a lot of functionality - a real RAM hog, of course, since all the programs
need to live in memory simultaneously - no swapping to winchester.
Enough for now - ask if you need more detail on these or the other product
announcements.
Jim Gillogly
{vortex, decvax}!randvax!jimjim@randvax.UUCP (08/23/84)
----- Make that 1Q85 for DOS 3.1 ... I haven't seen it yet. Jim