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Open Sourcing DOS 4 (hanselman.com)

809 points by ndiddy · 841 days ago · 368 comments on HN

Article summary

Microsoft has released the source code to MS-DOS 4.00 under the MIT license, in partnership with IBM. The release includes the source code, beta binaries, and documentation. This version of DOS has a complex history, with Microsoft partnering with IBM for portions of the code and creating a branch called Multitasking DOS. The release is significant for operating system history and allows for further exploration and preservation of vintage DOS software.

Main themes

  • MS-DOS source code release
  • Operating system history
  • Vintage software preservation
  • IBM partnership
  • Multitasking DOS
  • Open source software

What commenters say

  • The release of MS-DOS 4.00 source code is significant for understanding the history of operating systems and the development of multitasking features.
  • Some commenters believe that FreeDOS already adequately covers the use case for running DOS software, making the release of MS-DOS 4.00 source code less impactful.
  • There is disagreement about the stability and quality of different versions of MS-DOS, with some preferring version 5.0 and others preferring version 3.3 or 6.22.
  • The distinction between MS-DOS 4.0 and 4.00 is unclear, with some commenters noting that the released source code contains references to both versions.
  • Some commenters are interested in exploring the possibilities of running MS-DOS 4.00 on original hardware or emulators, while others prefer using alternative solutions like FreeDOS or DR-DOS.
  • There is confusion and debate about the open-source status of DR-DOS, with some claiming it has been open-sourced and others arguing that it is only source-available under a restrictive license.
  • The release of MS-DOS 4.00 source code has sparked nostalgia and discussion about the history of personal computing and the development of operating systems.
  • Some commenters believe that the release of MS-DOS 4.00 source code is a significant step towards preserving the history of operating systems and allowing for further research and development.