[Coco] origins of OS-9

[Bob Devries]

I seem to remember that there was an article in BYTE magazine about Basic09, 
which also suggests that Basic09 was indeed first, and OS-9 was written as a 
support OS for it.

--
Besides a mathematical inclination, an exceptionally good mastery of one's 
native tongue is the most vital asset of a competent programmer.

Edsger W.Dijkstra, 18 June 1975

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gene Heskett" <gene.heskett at verizon.net>
To: "CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts" <coco at maltedmedia.com>
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 1:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Coco] origins of OS-9


> On Thursday 04 March 2010, Aaron Wolfe wrote:
>>Hi,
>>
>>I'm writing an article about OS-9 for a "retro computing" magazine.
>>I'm interested in exactly how and why OS-9 came to exist and any
>>related stories.
>>
>>What I have found so far (and let me be quick to confess I am not sure
>>this is accurate) is that in the late 70s Microware sold software for
>>the 6800, a version of Lisp and a monitor/debugger of sorts called
>>RT/68MX.  One SWTPC user describes it as a replacement for Motorola's
>>MikBug.  In an A-VIDD catalog from 1977
>>(http://www.swtpc.com/mholley/avidd/Avidd.htm), it is listed as "RT/68
>>MX - Multi user ROAA for the SWTPCO M6800".   What is an ROAA?  Did
>>this multi user monitor for 6800 eventually become OS-9?
>>
>>It seems the general consensus that Motorola contracted Microware to
>>create Basic09 because they wanted to showcase their new 6809 with a
>>language that took advantage of it's power.  Does anyone know how this
>>relationship came to be?  It is suggested in more than one place that
>>Motorola introduced Microware to Tandy which eventually lead to OS-9
>>being used on the CoCo.
>>
>>OS-9 is described as being created "because once they finished
>>Basic09, they decided they needed an operating system to go with it".
>>Considering that OS-9 is much larger and more complex than B09 is, I'm
>>not sure this makes sense.  Does anyone know more detail or can anyone
>>confirm this is indeed why OS-9 came to exist?  I wonder if they were
>>already porting RT/68MX to 6809, and this is what became OS-9.  Just a
>>theory :)
>>
>>If anyone knows more detail and doesn't mind sharing, I'd would love
>>to get a better understanding of these events.
>>
>>-Aaron
>
> I am not the historian for os9, but I would make the comment that since
> basic09's success as a language is pretty well intertwined with the 
> systems
> subfunctions, I'd have to say that os9 would have to predate basic09 
> somewhat
> unless they were working from a framework chart of what os9 was to become 
> by
> the time they shot the last programmer.
>
> That last comment is because I've heard for decades now that the only time 
> a
> program is truly finished is when somebody shoots the programmer writing 
> it.
>
> There have been several times when I had to 'shoot myself' because what I 
> was
> working on was working well for the job I wrote it for, and stability was
> needed for the everyday production use.  And I'd say that if its still
> working well a decade plus later, that it was worth the effort.
>
> -- 
> Cheers, Gene
> "There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
> soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
> -Ed Howdershelt (Author)
>
> Too much of everything is just enough.
> -- Bob Wier
>
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