Difference between revisions of "NeXTSTEP"
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| caption = A NeXTSTEP desktop | | caption = A NeXTSTEP desktop | ||
| name = NeXTSTEP | | name = NeXTSTEP | ||
| − | | creator = NeXT | + | | creator = [[NeXT_Computer,_Inc|NeXT]] |
| current version = 3.3 (1995) | | current version = 3.3 (1995) | ||
| year introduced = 1989 | | year introduced = 1989 | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
| architecture = [[m68k]], portable to big & little endian ([[i386]],[[sparc]],[[hppa]]). | | architecture = [[m68k]], portable to big & little endian ([[i386]],[[sparc]],[[hppa]]). | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | NeXTSTEP was the Operating System popularized by NeXT, and is commonly thought of with the NeXT hardware. | + | NeXTSTEP was the Operating System popularized by [[NeXT_Computer,_Inc|NeXT]], and is commonly thought of with the NeXT hardware. |
== Architecture == | == Architecture == | ||
| − | NeXTSTEP uses the [[Mach]] microkernel 2.5 as a library into a custom [[BSD]] kernel that is based on [[4.3 BSD]]. Sourcecode to the descendant of NeXTSTEP can be found on Apple's site in the XNU project sources. The direct descendant of NeXTSTEP was [[OPENSTEP]], an | + | NeXTSTEP uses the [[Mach]] microkernel 2.5 as a library into a custom [[BSD]] kernel that is based on [[4.3 BSD]]. Sourcecode to the descendant of NeXTSTEP can be found on Apple's site in the XNU project sources. The direct descendant of NeXTSTEP was [[OPENSTEP]], an effort that was helped by [[SUN]] into making the NeXT object technology a portable framework. SUN dropped the effort just before launch in favour of [[Java]]. |
| − | NeXTSTEP developed into a niche as a RAD tool, and a data modeling tool. It was also envisioned as a middleware tool, however it would have required NeXT hardware on the client & middle tiers, with the EOF (Enterprise Object Framework) packages. Later this would morph into an OPENSTEP offering to run on Sun, HP & Microsoft Windows, and then a Java/Web solution. NeXTSTEP was later transitioned into OPENSTEP as part of a collaborative work with [[SUN]] which was later abandoned by SUN in | + | NeXTSTEP developed into a niche as a RAD tool, and a data modeling tool. It was also envisioned as a middleware tool, however it would have required NeXT hardware on the client & middle tiers, with the EOF (Enterprise Object Framework) packages. Later this would morph into an OPENSTEP offering to run on Sun, HP & Microsoft Windows, and then a Java/Web solution. NeXTSTEP was later transitioned into OPENSTEP as part of a collaborative work with [[SUN]] which was later abandoned by SUN in favour of Java. When NeXT was later bought out by [[Apple]] the then shelved OPENSTEP was brought back to life as the base OS for Rhapsody, then OS X. It also has been opened up via the [[Darwin]] project. |
== Interesting features == | == Interesting features == | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
Another thing I've always loved is the bundle concept in which all of the application dll's resources are all in one directory, making moving apps around trivial, along with installation (almost always just unpack and run). | Another thing I've always loved is the bundle concept in which all of the application dll's resources are all in one directory, making moving apps around trivial, along with installation (almost always just unpack and run). | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Notable Software == | ||
| + | * [[iD]]'s [[DooM]] was written on NeXTSTEP, and then ported to the PC. | ||
| + | * Tim Burner Lee developed [[cern httpd]] on the NeXT, giving us the HTTP protocol, and the web as we know it. | ||
== Ports == | == Ports == | ||
| Line 52: | Line 56: | ||
The excellent emulator [[Previous]] is capable of emulating a NeXT Computer, NeXT Cube, and NeXT Station. With this combination you can run every version of NeXTSTEP. | The excellent emulator [[Previous]] is capable of emulating a NeXT Computer, NeXT Cube, and NeXT Station. With this combination you can run every version of NeXTSTEP. | ||
| − | === i386 | + | === i386 === |
Emulating NeXTSTEP can be tricky. It should generally run on actual stock PC hardware from the late 90s which is not in short supply yet, so that may be a preferable option. Otherwise you could try an attempt to patch Qemu [[Installing_NeXTSTEP_on_Qemu|to run NeXTSTEP]]. While the latest Qemu can run Solaris, the NeXTSTEP bootloader for SPARC loads, but it seems to hang loading a kernel. | Emulating NeXTSTEP can be tricky. It should generally run on actual stock PC hardware from the late 90s which is not in short supply yet, so that may be a preferable option. Otherwise you could try an attempt to patch Qemu [[Installing_NeXTSTEP_on_Qemu|to run NeXTSTEP]]. While the latest Qemu can run Solaris, the NeXTSTEP bootloader for SPARC loads, but it seems to hang loading a kernel. | ||
Revision as of 00:20, 17 August 2015
| NeXTSTEP | |
 A NeXTSTEP desktop | |
| Type: | Multitasking, multiuser |
|---|---|
| Creator: | NeXT |
| Architecture: | m68k, portable to big & little endian (i386,sparc,hppa). |
| This Version: | 3.3 (1995) |
| Date Released: | 1989 |
NeXTSTEP was the Operating System popularized by NeXT, and is commonly thought of with the NeXT hardware.
Contents
Architecture
NeXTSTEP uses the Mach microkernel 2.5 as a library into a custom BSD kernel that is based on 4.3 BSD. Sourcecode to the descendant of NeXTSTEP can be found on Apple's site in the XNU project sources. The direct descendant of NeXTSTEP was OPENSTEP, an effort that was helped by SUN into making the NeXT object technology a portable framework. SUN dropped the effort just before launch in favour of Java.
NeXTSTEP developed into a niche as a RAD tool, and a data modeling tool. It was also envisioned as a middleware tool, however it would have required NeXT hardware on the client & middle tiers, with the EOF (Enterprise Object Framework) packages. Later this would morph into an OPENSTEP offering to run on Sun, HP & Microsoft Windows, and then a Java/Web solution. NeXTSTEP was later transitioned into OPENSTEP as part of a collaborative work with SUN which was later abandoned by SUN in favour of Java. When NeXT was later bought out by Apple the then shelved OPENSTEP was brought back to life as the base OS for Rhapsody, then OS X. It also has been opened up via the Darwin project.
Interesting features
NeXTSTEP 3.0 was the first OS to ship on CD-ROM, a welcome change from floppies & tapes of the past.
Another thing I've always loved is the bundle concept in which all of the application dll's resources are all in one directory, making moving apps around trivial, along with installation (almost always just unpack and run).
Notable Software
- iD's DooM was written on NeXTSTEP, and then ported to the PC.
- Tim Burner Lee developed cern httpd on the NeXT, giving us the HTTP protocol, and the web as we know it.
Ports
While NeXTSTEP is based on portable software (Mach/BSD) it was ported to the following machines:
- m68k
- hppa
- i386
- sparc
- m88k -unreleased
- PowerPC -unreleased
Versions
- 0.8 m68k only
- 0.9 m68k only
- 1.0 m68k only
- 2.0 m68k only
- 2.1 m68k only
- 2.2 m68k only
- 3.0 m68k then i386
- 3.1 m68k, i386
- 3.2 m68k, i386, sparc
- 3.3 m68k, i386, sparc, hppa
Emulation
There are currently 2 platforms you can choose from to run NeXTSTEP
m68k
The excellent emulator Previous is capable of emulating a NeXT Computer, NeXT Cube, and NeXT Station. With this combination you can run every version of NeXTSTEP.
i386
Emulating NeXTSTEP can be tricky. It should generally run on actual stock PC hardware from the late 90s which is not in short supply yet, so that may be a preferable option. Otherwise you could try an attempt to patch Qemu to run NeXTSTEP. While the latest Qemu can run Solaris, the NeXTSTEP bootloader for SPARC loads, but it seems to hang loading a kernel.
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