I6191008@DBSTU1.BITNET (02/27/86)
Terry- Hmmm, looks like that we've got a problem here... When the ST was presented to the public all testers told that it is using an enhanced CPM/68k. They also told that the disks use the IBM PC format. Actually it's the same, except 2 small differences. If you add a 5" floppy to the ST you can transfer ONE file at a time (with more you get problems with the file allocation table) from the PC to the ST and vice versa. In the 'Hitchhikers Guide to the BIOS' and in the documentation they compare their system quite much with MS-DOS (sometimes to often). Actually it is very similar to MS-DOS (not only Unix; like I told before). The subdirectories are handeled like in MS-DOS. I never worked with CPM/68k but there was a time when I wanted to build such a system (was too expensive), so I know at least some facts about it. Unfortunately I don't have access to my documentations right now... but I'll dig it out when there is need for it. (Then I can post a comparison of the system calls.) In general you push your desired function on the stack and call the system. And this functions are different in both OS's as I know. Next: You've got several system components: GEMDOS,BIOS,XBIOS,GEM and a grafics kernel. GEMDOS is not GEM, it's more like BDOS in CP/M. The XBIOS is an extension of the BIOS. The kernel supports the GEM (You can use it without GEM if you like). Even without GEM the TOS doesn't look like CPM/68k. Try to run an CPM program (of course from the TOS) und you'll see what happens...several bombs...reset....:-) The problem is that ATARI had the intention to use CPM (and told so) but changed their mind later on. But several M-magazines are still writing something about CPM68k on the ST. If they would have tried to run an CPM program the would have known better. Finally, I'm not the ultimate source for such informations, I know some facts but not all...feel free to revise the above. Johann Zuschlag (I6191008@DBSTU1.BITNET)