OS/2 facts for kids

OS/2 is a special computer program called an operating system. Think of an operating system like the brain of a computer; it helps everything run smoothly. OS/2 was first created by a team effort between two big companies, Microsoft and IBM. Its name means "Operating System/2".

This new system was designed to take the place of older programs like MS-DOS and early versions of Microsoft Windows. IBM continued to work on and support OS/2 for many years, until the end of 2006. After that, other groups took over. OS/2 has since been updated and sold under new names like eComStation. In 2015, a newer version called ArcaOS was also announced.

What is an Operating System?

An operating system (often called an "OS") is the most important software on a computer. It manages all the computer's hardware and software. It lets you run programs, save files, and connect to the internet. Without an operating system, your computer wouldn't be able to do anything! Popular operating systems today include Windows, macOS, and Linux.

The Start of OS/2

OS/2 began in the mid-1980s. At that time, Microsoft and IBM were working together closely. IBM wanted a new operating system for its powerful new computers, the IBM Personal System/2 (PS/2). They wanted something more advanced than MS-DOS, which was popular but had some limits.

The goal was to create an operating system that could do many things at once. This is called "multitasking." It also needed to run programs that used more than 16 bits of information at a time. This would make programs faster and more powerful.

Early Versions and Changes

The first version, OS/2 1.0, came out in 1987. It looked a lot like MS-DOS, with a text-based screen. Soon after, OS/2 1.1 introduced a graphical user interface (GUI) called "Presentation Manager." This made it much easier to use, with windows, icons, and a mouse, similar to how computers look today.

Over time, Microsoft and IBM started to have different ideas about how OS/2 should grow. Eventually, they decided to go their separate ways. Microsoft focused more on its Windows operating system, while IBM continued to develop OS/2 on its own.

OS/2 Warp and Beyond

One of the most famous versions was OS/2 Warp, released in 1994. This version was very popular because it was fast and could run many different types of programs. It could even run some Windows programs! OS/2 Warp also introduced a new desktop environment called the "Workplace Shell," which allowed users to organize their files and programs easily.

Even though IBM stopped officially supporting OS/2 in 2006, the operating system still has dedicated users. Companies like Serenity Systems continued to develop it as eComStation. More recently, a company called Arca Noae released ArcaOS, which is a modern version of OS/2. This shows how long-lasting and important OS/2 has been in computer history.

Images for kids

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  OS/2 1.0 featured a text-mode interface similar to MS-DOS.

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  OS/2 1.1 was the first version to feature the Presentation Manager GUI.

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  Installation Disk A of Microsoft OS/2 1.3 (3½-inch floppy disk)

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  OS/2 1.3 was the final 16-bit only version of OS/2, and the last to be sold by Microsoft.

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  OS/2 2.0 was the first 32-bit release of OS/2, and the first to feature the Workplace Shell.

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  The OS/2 2.0 upgrade box

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  OS/2 Warp Connect 3.0, showing the Windows 3.1 Program Manager, QBASIC in a DOS window, and the LaunchPad (bottom center)

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  Firefox 3.5.4 for OS/2 Warp 4

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  OS/2 Warp 4 desktop after installation

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  ArcaOS is the most recent OS/2-based operating system developed outside of IBM.

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  OS/2 Window (cmd.exe) on Microsoft OS/2 Version 1.3

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  An ATM in Australia revealing during a reboot that it is based on OS/2 Warp

See also

• In Spanish: OS/2 para niños