 | |
 TempleOS 5.03 | |
| Developer | Terry A. Davis |
|---|---|
| Written in | Holy C andx86 Assembly |
| Working state | Finished |
| Source model | Open source |
| Initial release | 2005; 20 years ago (2005) (as J Operating System) 2013; 12 years ago (2013) (as TempleOS) |
| Latest release | 5.03 / November 20, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-11-20) |
| Repository | |
| Platforms | x64 |
| Kernel type | Monolithic |
| Userland | UserCmdLine using HolyC, Adam |
| Default user interface | 640x480 16 Color Graphics, specifically created for TempleOS |
| License | Public domain |
| Official website | templeos |
TempleOS (formerlyJ Operating System,LoseThos, andSparrowOS) is abiblical-themed lightweightoperating system (OS) designed to be theThird Temple prophesized in the Bible. It was created by American programmerTerry A. Davis, who developed it alone over the course of a decade after a series ofmanic episodes that he later described as arevelation from God.
The system was characterized as a modernx86-64Commodore 64, using an interface similar to a mixture ofDOS andTurbo C. Davis proclaimed that the system's features, such as its 640x480 resolution, 16-color display, and single-voice audio, were designed according to explicit instructions from God.[1] It was programmed with an original variation ofC/C++ (namedHolyC) in place ofBASIC, and included an originalflight simulator,compiler, andkernel.
First released in 2005 as J Operating System, TempleOS was renamed in 2013 and was last updated in 2017.
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Programmer Terry A. Davis (1969–2018) began experiencing regular manic episodes in 1996, leading him to numerous stays at mental hospitals. Initially diagnosed withbipolar disorder, he was later declaredschizophrenic and remained unemployed for the rest of his life.[1] He suffered from delusions of space aliens and government agents that left him briefly hospitalized for his mental health issues.[1][2] After experiencing a self-described "revelation", he proclaimed that he was in direct communication with God, and that God told him the operating system was forGod's third temple.[1]
Davis began developing TempleOS circa 2003.[3] One of its early names was the "J Operating System" before renaming it to "LoseThos", a reference to a scene from the 1986 filmPlatoon.[1] In 2008, Davis wrote that LoseThos was "primarily for making video games. It has no networking or Internet support. As far as I'm concerned, that would be reinventing the wheel".[4] Another name he used was "SparrowOS" before settling on "TempleOS".[5] In mid-2013, his website announced: "God's temple is finished. Now, God killsCIA until it spreads [sic]."[6]
Davis died after being hit by a train on August 11, 2018.[7]
TempleOS is a 64-bit,non-preemptive multi-tasking,[8]multi-cored,public domain,open source,ring-0-only,single address space, non-networked, PC operating system for recreational programming.[9] The OS runs 8-bitASCII with graphics in source code and has a 2D and 3Dgraphics library, which run at 640x480VGA with 16 colors.[5] Like most modern operating systems, it has keyboard and mouse support. It supportsISO 9660,FAT32 and RedSeafile systems (the latter created by Davis) with support for file compression.[10] According to Davis, many of these specifications—such as the 640x480 resolution, 16-color display and single audio voice—were instructed to him by God. He explained that the limited resolution was to make it easier for children to draw illustrations for God.[1]
The operating system includes an originalflight simulator,compiler, andkernel.[3] One bundled program, "After Egypt", is a game in which the player travels to aburning bush to use a "high-speed stopwatch". The stopwatch is meant to act as anoracle that generates pseudo-random text, something Davis likened to aOuija board andglossolalia.[5] An example of generated text follows:
among consigned penally result perverseness checked stated held sensation reasonings skies adversity Dakota lip Suffer approached enact displacing feast Canst pearl doing alms comprehendeth nought[5]
TempleOS was written in a programming language developed by Davis as a middle ground betweenC andC++, originally called "C+" (C Plus), later renamed to "Holy C", possibly a reference to theHoly See.[5] Davis ultimately wrote over 100,000 lines of code for the OS.[3]
| Paradigm | Imperative,Compiled |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Terry A. Davis |
| OS | TempleOS |
| Website | templeos |
| Influenced by | |
| C,C++ | |
Holy C (formerlyC+), named after a play on words ofHoly See, is a variant of theC andC++ programming Languages designed by Terry A. Davis specifically for the TempleOS. It functions as both a general-purpose language for application development and a scripting language for automating tasks within TempleOS.[11]
HolyC is thejust-in-time compiled language of TempleOS. It is animperative, statically typed programming language, although it uses someobject-oriented programming paradigms.[12]
TempleOS received mostly "sympathetic" reviews. Tech journalist David Cassel opined that "programming websites tried to find the necessary patience and understanding to accommodate Davis".[3]TechRepublic andOSNews published positive articles on Davis's work, even though Davis was banned from the latter for hostile comments targeting its readers and staff.[3] In his review for TechRepublic, James Sanders concluded that "TempleOS is a testament to the dedication and passion of one man displaying his technological prowess. It doesn't need to be anything more."[5] OSNews editor Kroc Camen wrote that the OS "shows that computing can still be ahobby; why is everybody so serious these days? If I want to code an OS that uses interpretive dance as the input method, I should be allowed to do so, companies likeApple be damned."[3] In 2017, the OS was shown as a part of anoutsider art exhibition inBourgogne, France.[13]
After Davis' death, OSNews editor Thom Holwerda wrote: "Davis was clearly a gifted programmer – writing an entire operating system is no small feat – and it was sad to see him affected by his mental illness".[14] One fan described Davis as a "programming legend", while another, a computer engineer, compared the development of TempleOS to a one-man-built skyscraper.[7] He added that it "actually boggles my mind that one man wrote all that" and that it was "hard for a layperson to understand what a phenomenal achievement" it is to write an entire operating system alone.[7]
TempleOS is in the public domain. Davis' family has wished for fans to donate to theNational Alliance for Mental Illness and other organizations "working to ease the pain and suffering caused by mental illness".[6]
