Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA (Info-IBMPC Digest) (03/22/86)
Info-IBMPC Digest Friday, 21 March 1986 Volume 5 : Issue 36
This Week's Editor: Billy Brackenridge
Today's Topics:
DOS 3.2 (yawn)
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DATE 860318
TITLE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER DISK OPERATING SYSTEM VERSION 3.2 AND IBM
PERSONAL COMPUTER BASIC REFERENCE VERSION 3.2 AVAILABLE
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
o Is upwardly compatible from IBM Personal Computer DOS 3.1. (DOS
3.1 and DOS 2.1 are still available.)
o Supports IBM Token-Ring Network.
o Supports all members of the IBM Personal Computer family.
o Provides a new command (REPLACE) to replace all occurrences of
a file on a disk. This facilitates installation of new versions
of DOS or application programs.
o Provides a new command (XCOPY) to allow copying of files from
more than one subdirectory where the source and target drives
are of different densities, making complete or periodic backups
easier.
o Removes default drive capability on FORMAT. When the FORMAT
command is executed, the drive letter must be specified,
helping to prevent accidental reformatting of a disk or
diskette.
o Provides for label checking when a fixed disk is formatted.
FORMAT will not proceed until the volume label is entered
correctly by the user, providing an extra check to avoid
accidentally reformatting a fixed disk.
o Enhances several existing DOS commands to provide greater
usability and better error recovery.
o BASIC has been enhanced to include the following:
- OPEN statement now includes support for the IBM PC Network
and IBM Token-Ring Network.
- Extended Graphics Adapter support is provided for enhanced
modes via the PALETTE, PALETTE USING, and COLOR
statements.
- DOS extended error support is now provided.
DESCRIPTION
IBM Personal Computer DOS Version 3.2 provides the required
support for an application program to interface with IBM Personal
Computer hardware. It supports all members of the IBM Personal
Computer family. DOS allows the user to manage files on a disk or
diskette (display directories, rename files, copy files and so on).
DOS also permits the user to start an application consisting of one
or more programs linked together into a single load module.
IBM Personal Computer DOS Version 3.2 includes a BASIC
Language Interpreter Version 3.2 (described in the separately
available BASIC Reference Version 3.2).
DOS Version 3.2 also provides a line editor and debug
utility programs to aid in program development. A linker program is
provided to convert language compiler relocatable modules to
executable load modules.
New commands are provided to support copying of files in
more than one subdirectory and to allow referral of a physical
device as multiple drive letters.
TECHINFO TECHNICAL INFORMATION
SPECIFIED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: An IBM PCjr, IBM Personal Computer, IBM
Personal Computer XT, IBM Portable Personal Computer, or IBM
PersonalComputer AT are required.
Memory requirements are:
o IBM PCjr - 128Kb
o IBM Personal Computer - 96Kb (128Kb recommended for fixed disk)
o IBM Personal Computer XT - 128Kb
o IBM Portable Personal Computer - 256Kb
o IBM Personal Computer AT - 256Kb
Diskette drive requirements include at least one of the
following:
o 360Kb diskette drive
o 1.2Mb diskette drive
Display and adapter are required as appropriate.
HARDWARE PERIPHERALS: The following have been tested for
compatibility with DOS 3.2 and operate as described in their
documentation:
o IBM Token-Ring PC Adapter and Cable
o IBM 5841 1200 bps Modem
o IBM Personal Computer 1200 bps Modem
o IBM Personal Computer 3278/79 Emulation Adapter
o IBM 5201 Quietwriter (R) Printer Model 1
o IBM 5201 Quietwriter (R) Printer Model 2
o IBM 5216 Wheelprinter
o IBM 5223 Wheelprinter E Model 1
o IBM 3852 Color Jetprinter Model 2
o IBM 4201 Proprinter
o IBM 3812 Pageprinter
o System/36 PC 5364 Model 1
o System/36 PC 5364 Model 2
o Enhanced 5250 Emulation Version 2.1 Installation Convenience Kit
o Enhanced Display Station Emulation Adapter Kit
o System/36 PC Model 21
o System/36 PC Model 22
o 3270-PC with 3270-PC Control Program Versions 1.22 and 2.1
o 3270 Personal Computer AT with 3270-PC Control Program Version
2.1
o IBM Personal Computer AT/370 Option Kit
o IBM 7371 Color Plotter
o IBM 7372 Color Plotter
o IBM Voice Communications Adapter Option
COMPATIBILITY: IBM Personal Computer DOS Version 3.2 is an upwardly
compatible enhancement to DOS 3.1 and contains maintenance updates
to DOS 3.1. DOS 3.1 is still available. DOS 3.2 provides support
for the IBM Token-Ring Network. Because the storage requirements
are 8Kb greater than DOS 3.1 (44Kb versus 36Kb), some programs may
not fit in the same size machine. In such instances, a program may
be divided into smaller segments, or more memory may be added to
the system unit.
o DOS environment area can now be reserved: A new option of the
SHELL command allows this area to be expanded to 32Kb. This
allows the user to specify more extensive PATH commands, PROMPT
commands, and SET commands without running out of environment
space.
o FORMAT: The FORMAT Command now requires the user to specify
the drive letter; it no longer uses the current drive as the
default. When formatting a fixed disk, the FORMAT command
requires the user to specify the Volume ID of the disk. A
warning message is also displayed, indicating that all data on
the fixed disk will be lost if the user chooses to proceed with
the formatting.
o REPLACE: A new command, REPLACE, is provided to replace all
occurrences of a file on a disk.
o SELECT: The SELECT command has been enhanced to provide
additional flexibility.
o XCOPY: A new command, XCOPY, has been added to allow the user
to copy files in more than one subdirectory. Options allow
prompting for selective copying of files, verify after write,
copying of lower level directories even when empty, copying of
files modified after a specified date, and copying of archived
files only (with or without modifying the archive bit). XCOPY
can be performed where the source and target drives are of
different densities.
o Utilization of the BIOS parameter block: The BIOS parameter
block is used to obtain media-type information to remove
dependence on the File Allocation Table ID for the media-type
information.
o I/O control subfunctions: DOS 3.2 implements subfunctions that
enhance device independence. These subfunctions allow querying
and changing of device parameters as well as logical device
support. These subfunctions are:
- Get device parameters
- Set device parameters
- Read track on logical drive
- Write track on logical drive
- Format and verify track on logical drive
- Verify track on logical drive
- Get logical device number (determine if a device has more
than one letter)
- Set logical device number (suppress diskette change request
messages)
IBM Personal Computer DOS 3.2 is an upwardly compatible
enhancement to DOS 2.1 and contains maintenance updates to DOS 2.1.
DOS 3.2 requires a minimum of 44Kb of user memory. DOS 2.1 requires
24Kb.Because DOS 3.2 storage is 20Kb greater, some programs may not
fit in the same size machine. In these cases, a program may be
divided into smaller segments, or more memory may be added to the
system unit. In addition to those described above, DOS 3.2 contains
the following enhancements:
o Optional file sharing: Applies on a file basis; provides full
range of sharing possibilities.
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 Support for IBM PC Network/IBM Token-Ring Network: Allows
addition of the IBM PC Network programs. These programs are
available separately and require appropriate network hardware.
o Background print: Modified version of DOS 2.1 Print, which now
supports path specifications and an internal programming
interface.
o Additional interrupt 21H functions: Additional function calls
provide enhanced file management and support for the IBM PC
Network environment.
o Enhanced error recovery: Additional error reporting facilities
to enhance support in the IBM PC Network environment.
o Support for IBM Personal Computer AT: 1.2Mb diskette drives,
non-volatile timer, larger fixed disk (size = 20Mb versus 10Mb
for DOS 2.1).
o BASIC Interpreter: Support IBM Personal Computer Enhanced
Graphics Adapter, IBM PC Network, IBM Token-Ring Network, and
DOS Extended Error facilities. BASIC Reference Version 3.2
contains a more detailed description of the changes.
o VDISK: RAM disk. Allows use of part of storage for a virtual
disk; supports extended memory (above 1MB) on IBM Personal
Computer AT for virtual disk.
o Large linker: Supports up to 1Mb
o SUBST: Substitute string.
o JOIN: Splicing of directories.
APPLICATION PROGRAMS: The following licensed programs have been
tested for compatibility with DOS 3.2 and operate as described in
their program documentation:
[List of programs deleted in interests of brevity. All programs were IBM
products. Other usless stuff deleted as well. -ed]
PACKAGING: IBM Personal Computer DOS Version 3.2 resides on two
diskettes (6280057).
The first diskette contains DOS; the second contains the
Linker, Debug, EXE2BIN, sample device driver listings, and the
BASIC sample programs.
The following are included in the program package:
o IBM Personal Computer Disk Operating System User's Guide
(Version 3.2)
o IBM Personal Computer Disk Operating System Reference (Version
3.2)
o IBM Personal Computer Disk Operating System Quick Reference
Card (Version 3.2)
A brochure and postage-paid response card for a free copy of
"The Directory," the catalog of personally developed software for
IBM Personal Computers are also included.
An update to the IBM Personal Computer DOS Technical Reference
includes information on DOS 3.2 and will be sent automatically to
registered users via the Update Information Service. This service
provides updates to this manual until 60 days after the manual has
been withdrawn from marketing.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: The IBM Personal Computer Assistance Center
(PCAC) will provide assistance to eligible IBM customers.
ORDERING ORDERING INFORMATION
BASIC Reference Version 3.2 can be ordered as feature 0075 of
5150 - MNL and is not available at discount.
Orders for any quantity may be taken by NCMD/SWMD marketing
representatives.
Orders for quantities less than 20 may be taken by the IBM
Product Centers. Each Product Center will accept and process orders
within its trading area.
CHARGES, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS
CHARGES
Part Feature One-Time
Description Number Number Charge
IBM Personal Computer 6280057 0057 $95
DOS Version 3.2
BASIC Reference 6280075 0075 45
Version 3.2
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
WARRANTY: Program - No, the provisions of the IBM Program License
Agreement apply.
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