OS/2
 | |
 | |
| Developer | IBM, Microsoft (1.x) |
|---|---|
| Source model | Closed source |
| Initial release | OS/2 1.0 (December 1987) |
| Latest release | OS/2 Warp 4.52 (December 2001) |
| Supported platforms | x86, PowerPC, NEC PC-9801 |
| Kernel type | Hybrid |
| User interface | Workplace Shell |
| License | Proprietary |
OS/2 (Operating System/2) is an operating system originally developed jointly by Microsoft and IBM, in development was codenamed "CP/DOS". Between the release of Windows 3.0 and OS/2 1.3, Microsoft stopped all cooperation with IBM, due to a feud between the companies' significantly different cultures and visions. IBM later on handled the development of the operating system by itself.
OS/2 has features like a virtual DOS machine, the WIN-OS/2 subsystem (Windows 3.0/3.1x inside OS/2), Presentation Manager, and more.
Microsoft later used the OS/2 code to develop Windows NT 3.1. The code was later used by Serenity Systems to develop eComStation in 2001, which in turn was used by Arca Noae LLC to develop ArcaOS in 2017.
NEC sold a port of the Japanese localized version for their PC-9801 series of computers. This port features NEC copyrights as well as IBM and/or Microsoft copyrights along with NEC's own modified version of DOS.
Timeline[edit | edit source]
OS/2 Classic versions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Version | Codename | Release date | Notes |
| OS/2 1.0 | 1.0 | CP/DOS | 1987-12 | First version of OS/2 released without GUI |
| OS/2 1.1 | 1.1 | Trimaran | 1988-10 | First version with the Presentation Manager |
| OS/2 1.2 | 1.2 | Sloop | 1989-10 | Updated UI to resemble Windows 3.0 |
| OS/2 1.3 | 1.3 | Cutter | 1990-12 | Last version to be sold through Microsoft |
| OS/2 2.0 | 2.0 | Cruiser | 1992-04 | First version to include WIN-OS/2 with Windows 3.0; replaced Presentation Manager with Workplace Shell |
| OS/2 2.00.1 | 2.00.1 | Riker | 1992-10 | |
| OS/2 2.1 | 2.1 | Borg, Yawl | 1993-05 | Updated Windows version of WIN-OS/2 to 3.1 |
| OS/2 2.11 | 2.11 | — | 1994-02 | |
|
Legend:
Old version
Older version, still supported
Current stable version
Latest preview version
Future release
| ||||
OS/2 Warp versions | ||||
| Name | Version | Codename | Release date | Notes |
| OS/2 Warp 3 | 3.0 | Warp | 1994-10 | Introduces Launchpad; only version to support PPC-based systems |
| OS/2 Warp 4 | 4.0 | Merlin | 1996-09-25 | Replaced Launchpad as default shell with WarpCenter |
| OS/2 Warp Server for e-Business | 4.5 | Aurora | 1999-04 | |
| OS/2 Warp 4.51 | 4.51 | MCP/ACP | 2000-11 | |
| OS/2 Warp 4.52 | 4.52 | MCP2/ACP2 | 2001-12 | Last version of OS/2 |
|
Legend:
Old version
Older version, still supported
Current stable version
Latest preview version
Future release
| ||||