Compact Operating System in 46 Bytes Built on Forth
In a noteworthy demonstration of microcomputing prowess, a 46-byte source code for an operating system named 10biForthOS has been unveiled. This minimal yet functional system, written in 8086 opcodes, showcases a Forth implementation with just two instructions—compile and execute.
Despite its modesty, 10biForthOS offers a compelling testament to simplicity and efficiency. It operates on the Intel 8086, and users can input commands through a serial connection or keyboard. The limited yet practical nature of this OS allows for the loading of more complex software, such as the subleq-eForth Forth compiler for a more complete Forth implementation or SectorC for C programming.
Creator Philippe Brochard highlights the OS's resemblance to the familiar Forth language, mentioning its simplicity and hacky feeling as key characteristics. However, he acknowledges that the base implementation lacks stacks, dictionaries, and the ability to define words, which are typical Forth features. Nevertheless, 10biForthOS offers an outer and inner interpreter, the ability to compile and execute code, making it a unique, though limited, operating system.
10biForthOS seems to perpetuate the trend of compact yet functional Forth systems we've encountered before, even finding its way to run on an Arduino. Undoubtedly, this minimal Forth operating system holds potential for various applications, particularly in educational settings, embedded systems, and experimental platforms.
In broader terms, the Forth language evinces a remarkable adaptability, as it can be found running on various platforms, ranging from the Commodore 64 to less conventional choices. Examples of suchForth implementations include Forth64, which displays varying performance characteristics depending on the hardware used, delving into the intricacies of hardware and software interaction.
Meanwhile, the OS landscape exhibits its own manifestation of minimalism, with systems like OSle (510 bytes) and IncludeOS offering fascinating insights into microcomputing. OSle, designed to fit into a boot sector, boasts a shell, file system, process management, and more, while IncludeOS is an includable, minimal unikernel OS for C++ services, exemplifying the reductive yet comprehensive approaches towards operating system design.
In the realm of microcomputing, the Arduino platform supports the running of the 10biForthOS, a minimal Forth operating system. With the adaptability of the Forth language evident, it can be found on various platforms like the Commodore 64, showcasing its versatility in data-and-cloud-computing and technology applications. As for other minimal operating systems, OSle and IncludeOS present intriguing insights into the field, offering a reductive yet comprehensive approach towards operating system design on Linux and other platforms.
