KolibriOS facts for kids
 |
|
| Company / developer | KolibriOS Project Team |
|---|---|
| Programmed in | FASM |
| Working state | Active |
| Source model | Open source |
| Latest stable release | 0.7.7.0 / April 8, 2024 |
| Available language(s) | English, Russian, Italian, Spanish |
| Available programming languages(s) | FASM, C/C++, Pascal, Python, BF, Lua etc. |
| Supported platforms | x86 |
| Kernel type | Monolithic |
| Default user interface | KolibriOS Kernel API |
| License | GPL-2.0-only with binary blobs |
| Preceded by | MenuetOS |
KolibriOS, often called Kolibri, is a very small operating system. It is made for x86 computers, which are common PCs. What makes it special is that it's written completely in assembly language. This is a very basic computer language.
KolibriOS started in 2004. It was created from another operating system called MenuetOS. Since then, it has been developed independently. In 2009, a tech magazine called TechRadar said it was "tremendously impressive." They liked how fast it was and how neatly its code was written.
Contents
Cool Features of KolibriOS
KolibriOS has many interesting features, especially for such a small system.
- Multitasking: It can run many programs at the same time. This is called pre-emptive multitasking.
- Fast Boot: It starts up in just a few seconds. You can boot it from different devices. These include NTFS, Ext2/3/4, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, and ISO9660 file systems. It can even boot from Coreboot or Windows.
- Graphics: It has a GUI (what you see on the screen). This GUI is made to work best with VESA graphics.
- Development Tools: It comes with tools for making programs. This includes a code editor and a special program called FASM.
- Small Size: Most versions of KolibriOS are tiny. They can fit on a single 1.44 MB floppy disk!
- Useful Apps: It also has some everyday programs. These include a word processor, an image viewer, and even a web browser.
KolibriOS Shell Commands
KolibriOS has a command line interface, like a text-based way to control the computer. Here are some commands you can use:
What Your Computer Needs for KolibriOS
To run KolibriOS, your computer needs to meet some basic requirements:
- Processor: An i586-compatible CPU. This means most older and newer processors will work.
- Memory: At least 8 MB of RAM. This is a very small amount compared to modern operating systems.
- Graphics: A VESA-compatible graphics card.
- Storage: A 1.44 MB 3.5" floppy drive, a hard disk drive, a USB flash drive, or a CD-ROM drive.
- Input: A keyboard and mouse. These can be COM, PS/2, or USB types.
Hardware That Works with KolibriOS
KolibriOS supports various computer parts:
- USB Devices: It works with USB 1.1 and 2.0. This includes USB hubs. It supports USB keyboards, mice, and flash drives.
- Storage: It can use internal hard drives with PATA/IDE and SATA/AHCI connections.
- File Systems: It understands many file systems. These include FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, ext2, ext3, ext4 (partially), CDFS, NTFS (for reading and writing), and XFS (for reading only).
- Audio: It supports AC'97 audio codecs on many different chipsets. It also supports some Intel High Definition Audio systems.
- Video: It works with almost any graphics card. There are special drivers for AMD and Intel graphics chips.
- Network: It has a TCP/IP stack for internet use. It also supports certain Ethernet network cards.
Different Versions of KolibriOS
There are a few special versions of KolibriOS being developed:
- KolibriACPI: This version has better support for ACPI. ACPI helps your computer manage power and other advanced features.
- Kolibri-A: This is a version designed for embedded systems. These are small computers built into other devices. It's made to work very closely with the hardware. Currently, it mostly supports certain AMD APU-based platforms.
See also
In Spanish: KolibriOS para niños
- MenuetOS - The operating system that KolibriOS was based on.
