Apple DOS
 | |
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Initial release | Apple DOS 3.1 (June 1978) |
| Latest release | Apple DOS 3.3 (August 1980) |
Apple DOS is an operating system designed for the Apple II line of computers. It was the first operating system released by Apple, starting with Apple DOS 2.8, and ending with Apple DOS 3.3. It was succeeded by ProDOS.
History[edit | edit source]
After the Apple II launch, the computer had no disk drive or any DOS initially. Although Wozniak designed the Disk II controller and believed that he could have written a DOS, Steve Jobs decided to outsource the task. They considered using CP/M first, but Wozniak wanted an operating system that was easy to use. And Apple had insufficient resources to create Apple DOS at the time. Although Wozniak said he would work on it, Jobs didn't want to wait, and in 1978, Apple signed a contract with Shepardson Microsystems to write a DOS and deliver it within five weeks. Apple provided detailed specifications, and a former employee Randy Wigginton worked closely with Shepardson's Paul Laughton as the latter wrote the system with punched cards and a minicomputer.[1] Development has serially enumerated revisions, which might as well have been called builds 1 through 28. Apple DOS 3.0 was initially planned for release but was too buggy. Apple published no official documentation until 3.2. In June 1978, Apple DOS is released to the public with Disk II. In function, the system was easy for users to store, load, and run programs, well cataloging existing files and format disks. Only has a few quirks, such as an inability to read lowercase characters on a text file and the creation of unnecessary files if the user made the mistake of trying to load one that didn't exist. After 1980, Apple DOS development entered into stagnation for a company to focus on SOS, an Apple III system. In August, Apple released version 3.3. It consists of a new System Master, but with a hardware upgrade chip as well.[2]
Versions[edit | edit source]
| Version | Release date |
|---|---|
| Apple DOS 2.8 | — |
| Apple DOS 3.0 | — |
| Apple DOS 3.1 | 1978-06-20 |
| Apple DOS 3.2 | 1979-02 |
| Apple DOS 3.2.1 | 1979-07 |
| Apple DOS 3.3 | 1980-08 |