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| AMSDOS | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Locomotive Software |
| OS family | Disk operating systems |
| Working state | Discontinued |
| Source model | Closed source |
| Initial release | 1984; 42 years ago (1984) |
| Default user interface | None, access through BASIC and firmware calls |
AMSDOS is adisk operating system for the8-bitAmstradCPC Computer (and various clones). The name is a contraction ofAmstradDiskOperatingSystem.[1]
AMSDOS first appeared in 1984 on theCPC 464, with added3 inch disk drive, and then on theCPC 664 andCPC 6128. Relatively fast and efficient for its time, AMSDOS was quicker and more effective than most of its contemporaries.
AMSDOS was provided built into ROM (either supplied with the external disk drive or in the machine ROM, depending on model) and was accessible through the built-inLocomotive BASIC as well as throughfirmware routines. Its main function was to map thecassette access routines (which were built into every CPC model) through to a disk drive. This enabled the majority of cassette-based programs to work with a disk drive with no modification. AMSDOS was able to support up to two connected disk drives.
AMDOS extends the AMSTRAD BASIC by the addition of a number of externalcommands which are identified by a preceding¦ (bar) symbol. The following is a list of external commands supported by AMSDOS.[2]
Other disk operating systems for the Amstrad range includedCP/M (which was also bundled with an external disk drive, or built-in on ROM depending on model), RAMDOS, which allowed the full (800K) capacity of single-density 3 ½" disks to be used providing a suitable drive was connected andSymbOS.
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