GeckOS
Encyclopedia
GeckOS is an experimental operating system for MOS 6502
and compatible processors. It offers some Unix-like functionality including preemptive multitasking, multithreading, semaphores, signals, binary relocation
, TCP/IP networking via SLIP and a 6502 standard library
.
GeckOS includes native support for the Commodore PET
(32 KiB and 96KiB models), Commodore 64
and the CS/A65 homebrew system. Due to the platform independent nature of the kernel code, GeckOS is advertised as an extremely easy OS to port to alternative 6502 platforms.
Binary compatibility with the LUnix
operating system can be attained when the lib6502 shared library is used.
Due to the lack of an MMU and the small fixed-location stack of the 6502, multitasking is somewhat limited. The OS supports a maximum of four tasks when a shared stack space is used. This can be increased to sixteen tasks when stack snapshotting is enabled, although this is done at the expense of some system speed.
MOS Technology 6502
The MOS Technology 6502 is an 8-bit microprocessor that was designed by Chuck Peddle and Bill Mensch for MOS Technology in 1975. When it was introduced, it was the least expensive full-featured microprocessor on the market by a considerable margin, costing less than one-sixth the price of...
and compatible processors. It offers some Unix-like functionality including preemptive multitasking, multithreading, semaphores, signals, binary relocation
Relocation (computer science)
"Relocation is the process of assigning load addresses to various parts of [a] program and adjusting the code and data in the program to reflect the assigned addresses."...
, TCP/IP networking via SLIP and a 6502 standard library
Standard library
A standard library for a programming language is the library that is conventionally made available in every implementation of that language. In some cases, the library is described directly in the programming language specification; in other cases, the contents of the standard library are...
.
GeckOS includes native support for the Commodore PET
Commodore PET
The Commodore PET was a home/personal computer produced from 1977 by Commodore International...
(32 KiB and 96KiB models), Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
and the CS/A65 homebrew system. Due to the platform independent nature of the kernel code, GeckOS is advertised as an extremely easy OS to port to alternative 6502 platforms.
Binary compatibility with the LUnix
LUnix
LUnix, short for "Little Unix", is a Unix-like operating system designed to run natively on the Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 home computer systems. It supports TCP/IP networking...
operating system can be attained when the lib6502 shared library is used.
Due to the lack of an MMU and the small fixed-location stack of the 6502, multitasking is somewhat limited. The OS supports a maximum of four tasks when a shared stack space is used. This can be increased to sixteen tasks when stack snapshotting is enabled, although this is done at the expense of some system speed.