A/UX: Difference between revisions
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A/UX, in computer science, a version of the multiuser, multitaskingUNIXoperating system, provided by Apple Computer for the Macintosh line of computers and based on the AT&T System V, release 2 of UNIX. A/UX incorporates a number of Apple features; among them is support for the Macintosh Toolbox so that applications running under A/UX can provide users with the graphics-based interface characteristic of that computer. |
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{{Infobox OS |
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| name = A/UX |
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| screenshot = [[Image:Aux.jpeg|250px]] |
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| caption = A/UX 3.0.1 with Finder, CommandShell and Netscape |
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| developer = [[Apple Computer]] |
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| family = [[UNIX System V]] |
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| source_model = [[Closed source]] |
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| latest_release_version = 3.1.1 |
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| latest_release_date = 1995 |
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| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel]] |
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| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]] |
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| working_state = Historic |
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| website = |
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|}} |
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'''A/UX''' (from '''A'''pple '''U'''ni'''x''') was [[Apple Computer]]'s implementation of the [[Unix]] [[operating system]] for some of their [[Apple Macintosh|Macintosh]] computers. The later versions of A/UX ran on the [[Macintosh II]], [[Macintosh Quadra|Quadra]] and [[Macintosh Centris|Centris]] series of machines. A/UX was first released in 1988, with the final version (3.1.1) released in 1995. A/UX required a [[68k]]-based Macintosh with an [[Floating point unit|FPU]] and a paged [[memory management unit]] (PMMU). |
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The operating system was based on [[UNIX System V]] Release 2.2, with some additional features from System V Releases 3 and 4, and 4.2 and 4.3 [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]]. It was [[POSIX]] and [[System V Interface Definition]] (SVID) compliant and included [[TCP/IP]] [[computer network|networking]] from version 2 onward. There were rumors of a later version using [[OSF/1]] as its primary code base, but this system was never released to the public, if it even existed. |
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==Features== |
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A/UX 3.x provided a [[graphical user interface]] with the familiar [[Macintosh Finder|Finder]] windows, menus, and controls. The A/UX Finder was not the same program as the [[System 7 (Macintosh)|System 7]] Finder, but a customized version adapted to run as a Unix [[Process (computing)|process]] and designed to interact with the Unix [[Kernel (computer science)|kernel]] and [[file system]]s. A/UX 3.x also included a '''CommandShell''' terminal program, which offered a [[command line interface]] to the underlying Unix system, a feature which had never been available on Macintosh computers running the classic [[Mac OS]] Finder. An [[X Window System]] server application (called '''MacX''') with a terminal program could also be used to interface with the system and run X Window applications directly in the Finder. Alternatively, the user could choose to run a full X11R4 session without the Finder. |
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By including a [[compatibility layer]], A/UX could run [[Macintosh System]] 7.0.1, Unix, and "hybrid" [[Application software|application]]s. A hybrid application used both Macintosh and Unix system functions: for example, a Macintosh application which called Unix system functions, or a Unix application which called [[Macintosh Toolbox]] (e.g. [[QuickDraw]]) functions. The compatibility layer used some existing Toolbox functions in the computer's [[Read-only memory|ROM]], while other function calls were translated into native Unix [[system call]]s. |
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A/UX included a utility called '''Commando''' (similar to a tool of the same name included with [[Macintosh Programmer's Workshop|MPW]]) to assist users with entering [[Unix commands]]. Opening a Unix [[executable]] file from the Finder would open a [[dialog box]] that allowed the user to choose [[Command line interface|command-line]] options for the program using standard controls such as [[radio button]]s and [[check box]]es, and display the resulting command line [[Parameter (computer science)|argument]] for the user before executing the command or program. This feature was intended to ease the [[Experience curve effects|learning curve]] for users new to Unix, and decrease the user's reliance on the [[Unix manual]]. |
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==Decline== |
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Unfortunately for Apple and for A/UX users, the Unix [[niche market|niche]] was a costly business in the early 1990s. The last version of A/UX, 3.1.1, was released in 1995. A/UX ran only on 68k Apple machines with a floating point unit (FPU) and a paged memory management unit (PMMU).[http://www.kernelthread.com/mac/oshistory/4.html] Apple never [[Porting|ported]] A/UX to [[PowerPC]] Macintoshes (though A/UX 4.0 was rumored to have been an [[OSF/1]] adaptation), and the company all but abandoned it by 1996, preferring to use a slightly modified version of IBM's [[AIX operating system|AIX]] system on their mid-90s [[Apple Network Server]]s. After [[Steve Jobs]] returned to Apple, another [[Unix-like]] operating system was introduced in the form of [[Mac OS X]], but it had very little in common with A/UX, instead being based on [[NeXTSTEP]]. |
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A/UX users had one central source for most A/UX applications, a [[Server (computing)|server]] at [[NASA]] called "Jagubox" administered by [[Jim Jagielski]], who was also the editor of the A/UX [[FAQ]]. Although Jagubox is down, some [[Mirror (computing)|mirrors]] are still maintained. Aside from a few isolated servers still running it, A/UX is essentially extinct, and is considered to be [[abandonware]]. |
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{{Timeline of Macintosh operating systems}} |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.faqs.org/faqs/aux-faq/ Official A/UX FAQ] |
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*[http://christtrek.dyndns.org:8000/doc/aux/faq.html Unofficial A/UX FAQ] – updates the official FAQ from the 1998 version |
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*[news:comp.unix.aux comp.unix.aux] newsgroup |
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*{{dmoz|Computers/Software/Operating_Systems/Unix/A-UX/}} |
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*[http://www.aux-penelope.com/ A/UX Penelope] – Some screenshots and a tutorial on A/UX installation and security |
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*[http://www.kernelthread.com/mac/oshistory/4.html kernelthread.com] – A/UX in the context of a history of Apple's Operating Systems |
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*[http://applefritter.com/ui/aux/index.html The Unix for the rest of us?] – Screenshots and a general overview of the major features |
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*[http://aux.preterhuman.net A/UX at preterhuman.net] – Screenshots, install instructions |
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{{Mac OS History}} |
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{{Apple Inc. operating systems}} |
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{{unix-like}} |
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[[Category:Apple Inc. operating systems]] |
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[[Category:A/UX]] |
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[[Category:Unix variants]] |
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Revision as of 03:55, 20 December 2008
A/UX, in computer science, a version of the multiuser, multitaskingUNIXoperating system, provided by Apple Computer for the Macintosh line of computers and based on the AT&T System V, release 2 of UNIX. A/UX incorporates a number of Apple features; among them is support for the Macintosh Toolbox so that applications running under A/UX can provide users with the graphics-based interface characteristic of that computer.