OS/2
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| 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) was 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 have features like a virtual DOS machine, the WinOS/2 subsystem (Windows 3.0/3.1x inside OS/2), Presentation Manager, and more.
Microsoft later used OS/2 code to develop Windows NT 3.1. OS/2 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 | N/A | 1994-02 | |
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Legend:
Old version
Older version, still supported
Current stable version
Latest preview version
Future release
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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 |
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Legend:
Old version
Older version, still supported
Current stable version
Latest preview version
Future release
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