On Thu, 4 Dec 2003, Cini, Richard wrote:
> So, who invented the FAT filesystem we know today? Microsoft
> (through Stand-Alone Disk BASIC)? Seattle Computer (through 86-DOS)?
Microsoft. The "Stand Alone Disk BASIC" was used in Z80 machines.
It used a seek-center DIR (track 17 or 20 of a 35 or 40 track disk,
with a single sector "Granule Allocation Table", usually with 1/2
track for each allocation unit (8 bit entries))
THEN SCP wrote an 8086 system patterned after CP/M, but with a DIR
structure BASED on that idea, but with a track 0 DIR, more sectors
for the "FAT", and smaller allocation units (12 bit entries).
(QDOS, later 86-DOS)
I don't know what became of the 8086 Stand-Alone BASIC.
THEN Microsoft bought rights to that OS for "Project Commodore" (their IBM
contract). (PC-DOS, MS-DOS)
LATER, DRI added FAT support to some of their products,
and Apple based the original Mac DIR structure directly on FAT (MAJOR
shortage of system programmers at the time??)
> To paraphrase Artie Johnson..."Very interesting".
I think so
BTW, Cringely's version is COMPLETELY bogus.
The Kildall eulogy is "accurate", but way too biased (delivery of some
manuals to Oakland required Kildall stand up IBM, and couldn't be
delegated?)
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin_at_xenosoft.com
Received on Thu Dec 04 2003 - 14:45:43 GMT