DexOS

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Screenshot of DexOS running Space Pong in it's GUI

DexOS, Dex being short for DOS Extreme, is a free operating system for 32-bit x86 computers. It is written in 100% assembly language using the FASM (flat assembler) compiler. DexOS runs in Protected Mode. Development is lead by Craig Bamford and various members of the DexOS community.

DexOS is designed to be like a modern DOS. To be single-tasking, have a command line interface, but it also has a graphical user interface. It is capable of loading modules such as sound drivers.

DexOS has some built in commands, such as TIME, DATE, MORE (text viewer), HELP and RUN. To run programs, it is optional to use RUN and the .dex extension.

DexOS has some network capabilities such as running a HTTP server.

A port to the ARM architecture (to run on the GP2X) is in progress.

1 History
2 Programming
3 Programs
4 Source and License
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] History

DexOS started as a new version/rebirth of V2 OS, under the name V3OS. DexOS moves in the direction of pre-0.70 versions of V2_OS while the current V2_OS project has spoken of (yet hasn't started) adding things such as multitasking.

Initially DexOS was a controversial topic on V2_OS forums, as the V2_OS project leader had more advanced features in mind for any new V2_OS version.

DexOS has grown much since the time when it was called V3OS (a new V2_OS), and is a completely stand-alone system with no current connection to V2_OS. It has support for many things never seen in V2_OS and networking is on the way.

DexOS is not compatible with V2_OS. They don't use the same assembler. DexOS programs don't work on V2_OS or vice-versa.

DexOS was previously known as Dex4u.

[edit] Programming

Developers can program for DexOS using the assembler language. The FASM port and Tex4u (text editor) allow developers to use DexOS for development. Thanks to Solidus, a C library for Dex4u has been made.

[edit] Programs

DexOS runs programs designed for it with the .dex (CLI) or .gex (GUI) extensions. Some examples of programs are:

RetroForth4u (a port of RetroForth)
Space Pong (a 2 player pong game for both CLI and GUI)
Tex4u (text editor)
FASM port

[edit] Source and License

DexOS does not yet have a license yet. But the founders are currently looking into a license that will put the founding members into a "(c) owners" license, and anyone who contributes code will also be joined into the "(c) owners" license.

The source previously used to be available. Currently the only way to get it is to request it using the forum. The source is distributed this as the main developer only wants people that will help with DexOS to have the source.