TSX-32 is a discontinued general purpose
32-bit multi-user multitasking operating system
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common daemon (computing), services for computer programs.
Time-sharing operating systems scheduler (computing), schedule tasks for ...
for the
x86 architecture platform, with a
command line user interface
In the industrial design field of human–computer interaction, a user interface (UI) is the space where interactions between humans and machines occur. The goal of this interaction is to allow effective operation and control of the machine fro ...
. It is compatible with some
16-bit
16-bit microcomputers are microcomputers that use 16-bit microprocessors.
A 16-bit register can store 216 different values. The range of integer values that can be stored in 16 bits depends on the integer representation used. With the two ...
DOS applications and supports the
FAT16 and
FAT32 file systems. It was developed by S&H Computer Systems, and has been available since 1989.
DEC-oriented columnist Kevin G. Barkes noted that TSX-32 is "not a
port
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manch ...
of the
PDP-11 TSX-Plus" and that it runs
well on
386,
486 and
Pentium-based systems. He reported a limitation: since it supports the MS-DOS FAT file system, filenames are
8.3.
TSX-Plus
An earlier non-
DEC operating system, also from S&H, was named TSX-Plus. Released in 1980, TSX-Plus was the successor to TSX, released in 1976.
The strength of TSX-Plus is to simultaneously provide to multiple users the services of DEC's single-user
RT-11
RT-11 (Real-time 11) is a discontinued small, low-end, single-user real-time operating system for the full line of Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-11 16-bit computers. RT-11 was first implemented in 1970. It was widely used for real-time compu ...
. Depending on which PDP-11 model and the amount of memory, the system could support a minimum of 12 users
(14-18 users on a 2 MB 11/73, depending on workload). A productivity feature called "''virtual lines''" "allows a single user to control several tasks from a single
terminal."
History
S&H wrote the original TSX because "Spending $25K on a computer that could only support one user bugged" (founder Harry Sanders); the outcome was the initial four-user TSX in 1976.
[
For TSX-32, they said in an interview,][ "We started with a clean sheet of paper" rather than starting with a "'']port
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manch ...
.''"
VAX
The company's product line was ported/expanded for the VAX line.
[
]
See also
* Multiuser DOS Federation
References
External links
TSX-32 official description page
X86 operating systems
DOS variants
1989 software
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