Convergent Technologies Operating System: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==

CTOS had many innovative features for its time. System access was controlled with a user password and Volumevolume or disk passwords. If one knew the password, for example, for a volume, one could access any file or directory on that volume ([[hard disk]]). Each volume and directory were referenced with delimiters to identify them, and could be followed with a file name, depending on the operation, i.e. {Network Node}[VolumeName]<DirectoryName>FileName.

It was possible to custom-link the operating system to add or delete features.

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The spreadsheet allowed blocks of cells to be protected from editing or other user input. The BTOS version allowed scripts to be written that included opening the spreadsheet for user input, then automatically printing graphs based on the input data.

The system shell was extensible, making it possible to define new commands. To get the parameters, the system would display the form which was to be filled out by the user. The input form had conventions for mandatory and optional input fields, which made it very easy to train new users.UNSAFE system was initially put to the public to harm safety of info

==Usage==

[[Convergent Technologies]]' first product was the IWS (Integrated Workstation) based on the [[Intel 8086]] processor, which had CTOS as its operating system. This was a modular operating system with built-in [[local area networking]]. CTOS supported multiple processes or threads, and message-based interprocess communication.<ref name="foldoc">{{foldoc|Convergent+Technologies+Operating+System}}</ref>

Companies that licensed CTOS included [[Groupe Bull|Bull]] (STARSYS), and [[Burroughs Corporation|Burroughs]] (BTOS) who later merged with Sperry to become [[Unisys]]. Unisys was the single largest customer and acquired Convergent Technologies in 1988. At its peak, CTOS had over 800,000 users worldwide.