dbDOS

dbDOS
Developer(s) dBase
Stable release
3.0 / September 25, 2012 (2012-09-25)
Operating system Windows
Platform Intel architecture
Type emulator
License Commercial proprietary software
Website www.dbdos.com

dbDOS is software developed by dBase for Windows computers with Intel processors. dbDOS allows Intel-based PCs to run DOS Applications, such as dBASE III, dBASE IV (Version 1, 2, 3), and dBASE V for DOS in an emulated DOS environment. It is an environment configured specifically to allow the various versions of dBASE for DOS to run without any changes to the dBASE executables or the dBASE compiled programs created.

The dBase company is now offering licenses for dBase CLASSIC (DOS) with 99$ license price.[1]

Overview

In the late 1980s to early 1990s, dBase for DOS was one of the more popular database tools on the market.[2][3] When Borland decided to stop development of the DOS version in favor of the Windows version,[4] many companies were left providing support for themselves.

Many decided to keep their applications running on the DOS platform for many years following Borland's switch to Windows. This strategy worked well enough until Microsoft decided to make some changes in the way the underlying operating system worked. And as more and more PC started supporting 64-bit operating systems, the ability to keep dBASE for DOS running on maintainable hardware became difficult.

In 2012, the newly formed dBase LLC opted to support this install base of dBASE applications by releasing a virtualization tool named dbDOS. Based on the popular DOSBox, dbDOS quickly became an easy way to enable virtually any DOS-based application on Microsoft's Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, both 32- and 64-bit versions of the operating systems. With enhanced support for dBASE III, dBASE IV (Version 1, 2, 3), and dBASE V for DOS, dbDOS is the easiest way to keep mission critical applications up and running for years to come.

dbDOS 1.0 was released on May 23, 2012, following the restructuring of dBase LLC in April 2012.[5]

System requirements

The dbDOS virtual machine requires an Intel-based personal computer running Microsoft Windows. The computer must have at least 1 gigabyte of RAM and at least 100 megabytes of free hard drive space available.

Once the virtual machine software known as dbDOS is installed, the user is then free to install additional application software provide they have the originally licensed installation media available.

Features

dBase dbDOS 1.1 was released as a free upgrade on June 22, 2012.[6] New features in this release include:

dBase dbDOS 1.5 was released as a free upgrade on September 25, 2012.[7] New features in this release include:

dBase dbDOS PRO 2 was released a new professional version on August 23, 2013.[8] New features in this release include: August 23, 2013

dBase dbDOS PRO 3 was released on May 2, 2014.[9] New features in this release include: May 2, 2014

dBase dbDOS PRO 4 was released on May 6, 2015.[10] New features in this release include: May 6, 2014

dBase dbDOS PRO 4N was released on May 18, 2015.[11] New features in this release include: May 18, 2014

Architecture

dBase dbDOS has a unique architecture.

High Level Architecture dbDOS

Version history

Version Released Notes
1.0 2012-05-23 Initial release.
1.1 2012-06-22 Added ability to print to printers on host machine.
1.5 September 25, 2012 Enhanced memory configurations increased overall performance.
1.5.1 2012-10-10 Enhanced printing capability to now closely resemble printouts from the 1980s and 1990s.
2.0 2013-08-23 New copy from Windows clipboard to dbDOS VM. New copy / paste from unique dbDOS buffer to Windows. Double the performance of the 1.x product. New Print Screen functionality introduced.
3.0 2014-05-02 Enhanced printing capability to now closely resemble printouts from the 1980s and 1990s. Easy DOS Configuration Wizard simplifies the setup and launching of a single dBASE program. Enhanced DOS SHELL functionality. Display for resolutions above 800x600 are 100% sharper and easier to read. Improved backup system that makes it easier to find the configuration.
4.0 2015-05-06 Live file system, better integration with Windows. New Look & Feel. 4DOS Integration - enhanced DOS SHELL functionality.[12]
4N 2015-05-18 Live file system for better integration with Windows 64-bit machines. Networking capability with support for record locking. New Look & Feel. 4DOS Integration - Enhanced DOS SHELL functionality.[13]
4.0 2015-05-20 dBase, LLC Announces support for Paradox for DOS Ecosystem[14] dbDOS PRO 4 fully supports the Paradox for DOS related products and services. dbDOS PRO 4, a solution for supporting DOS-based applications on Windows Vista and above operating systems runs the Paradox environment, applications, and databases seamlessly on these operating systems.
4.0 2015-05-27 dBase, LLC Announces support for Lotus 1-2-3 for DOS[15] dbDOS PRO 4 fully supports the Lotus 1-2-3 for DOS related products and services. dbDOS PRO 4, a solution for supporting DOS-based applications on Windows Vista and above operating systems runs the Lotus 1-2-3 environment and applications seamlessly on these operating systems.

See also

References

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