XCG112@DBNUAMA1.BITNET.UUCP (02/06/87)
I'd like to add my bit to the discussion on multitasking on the ST. There is
a complete real-time multiuser/multitasking system for the Atari ST series.
It is called Real-Time Operating System (RTOS/UH) and was developed by the
University of Hannover, West Germany. It was implemented on the 68000 long
before anyone had heard of TOS. It includes a compiler for the PEARL language
(this is a high-level programming language primarily aimed at parallel process-
ing, controlling equipment etc). PEARL is standardized by the DIN (Deutsche
Industrie-Norm = German Industrial Standards) and runs on several mainframe
systems. The package also includes an assembler, linker, editor etc. All ST-
specific hardware (sound chip, midi port, hi-res graphics etc.) are supported.
The system is distributed by the German computer magazine "c't" (yes, them
again !). They also publish application programs for RTOS regularly. And there
is an RTOS sig that distributes PD disks for various RTOS systems on 5.25" and
3.5" disks.
Technical data:
The system is based on the time-slicing principle. All tasks remain in memory,
until more RAM space is needed and the dispatcher kicks them out. The number
of concurrent resident tasks is limited only by available RAM, on a 1 MB
machine one can have close to 10.000 tasks running (!). Task swapping takes
less than 200 msecs. Tasks can communicate via the usual techniques ("signal"
and all that). The number of users is limited by the number of terminal inter-
faces available. Currently implemented are users 0 (the ST keyboard/screen) and
1 (serial interface - several terminal types are supported).
RTOS comes in three versions:
- on disk including OS, compiler, assembler, linker, editor, monitor, dis-
assembler, debugger, hard-disk driver, terminal driver etc.
(price: DM 248, approx. $134)
- on 4 EPROMS 27256 (including all of the above), you need a ROM cartridge
board.
(price: DM 288, approx. $155, and DM 29, approx. $15, for the cartrige
board)
- on 2 EPROMS 27256 (compiler on disk) supporting the c't user port (16-bit
I/O port connected to the cartridge slot, using up 64KB ROM adress space)
and various peripheral devices such as an eprommer.
(price: DM 286, approx. $145, and DM 78, approx. $42 for I/O port board)
All versions include extensive docs, but not (yet ?) in English.
For more information write to:
Heise Platinen & Softwareservice
PO Box 610407
D-3000 Hannover 1
Federal Republic Of Germany
or call:
(West Germany) 511 / 5352-0
They'll send you a nice-looking leaflet all in German (unless they've finally
produced an English version) and their conditions for foreign orders.
They've also announced a version for the Amiga, which isn't available as yet.
Notes: Unfortunately, I don't get anything for praising their product. I have
not bought it yet, but plan to (I have seen it running - SEEMS to work).
I have no connection to c't other than a subscription to their magazine.
Volker A. Brandt
(Bonn, W. Germany)