dbDOS

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dbDOS
File:DbDOS 1 5 c prompt cutout.png
Developer(s) dBase
Stable release 3.0 / September 25, 2012 (2012-09-25)
Operating system Windows
Platform Intel architecture
Type emulator
License Commercial proprietary software
Website www.dbdos.com

dbDOS is software developed by dBase for Windows computers with Intel processors. dbDOS allows Intel-based PCs to run DOS Applications, such as dBASE III, dBASE IV (Version(s) 1,2,3), and dBASE V for MS-DOS in an emulated DOS environment. It is an environment configured specifically to allow the various versions of dBASE for DOS to run without any changes to the dBASE executables or the dBASE compiled programs you have created.

Overview

In the late 1980s early 1990s, dBase for DOS was one of the more popular database tools on the market.[1][2] When Borland decided to stop development of the DOS version in favor of the Windows version,[3] many companies were left providing support for themselves.

Many decided to keep their applications running on the DOS platform for many years following Borland's switch to Windows. This strategy worked well enough until Microsoft decided to make some changes in the way the underlying operating system worked. And as more and more PC started supporting 64-bit operating systems, the ability to keep dBASE for DOS running on maintainable hardware became difficult.

In 2012, the newly formed dBase LLC opted to support this install base of dBASE applications by releasing a virtualization tool named dbDOS. Based on the popular DOSBox, dbDOS quickly became an easy way to enable virtually any DOS based application on Microsoft’s Windows® XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, both 32 and 64 bit versions of the operating systems. With enhanced support for dBASE III, dBASE IV (Version(s) 1,2,3), and dBASE V for MS-DOS, dbDOS is the easiest way to keep your mission critical applications up and running for years to come.

dbDOS 1.0 was released on May 23, 2012, following the restructuring of dBase LLC in April 2012.[4]

System requirements

When choosing to take advantage of dbDOS as a virtual machine to run older DOS applications, you will need to be using an Intel-based personal computer running Microsoft Windows. The computer must have at least 1 gigabyte of RAM and at least 100 megabytes of free hard drive space available.

Once the virtual machine software known as dbDOS is installed, the user is then free to install additional application software provide they have the originally licensed installation media available.

Features

  • Easy to use wizard based interface supports importing and exporting of multiple environment configurations
  • No modifications to dBASE or any other applications you want to use is required
  • Ability to run any of your DOS programs* (BETA)
  • Very small footprint, under 10 megabytes of storage needed for the running program
  • Revive existing applications instead of rewriting them
  • Original installation media and licence from the manufacturer is required to install and run applications within dbDOS

dBase dbDOS 1.1 was released as a free upgrade on June 22, 2012.[5] New features in this release include:

  • Ability to print ESC and Printer specific codes to the host OS's printers (either

networked or connected)

dBase dbDOS 1.5 was released as a free upgrade on September 25, 2012.[6] New features in this release include:

  • Increased overall performance.
  • Enhanced memory capabilities with JEMM386 enable programs to run much faster
  • Clipboard feature for pasting text into DOS from Windows

dBase dbDOS PRO 2 was released a new professional version on August 23, 2013.[7] New features in this release include: August 23, 2013

  • Enhanced printing capability to now closely resemble printouts from the 1980s and 90's.
  • New copy from Windows clipboard to dbDOS(TM) VM.
  • New copy / paste from unique dbDOS(TM) buffer to Windows.
  • Double the performance of the 1.x product.
  • New Print Screen functionality introduced.
  • Support for Windows 8

dBase dbDOS PRO 3 was released on May 2, 2014.[8] New features in this release include: May 2, 2014

  • ONE! New print features – We now support PDF output! This means you can print to paper, to PDF, or to both at the same time!
  • TWO! New print features – We introduce a new “Enhanced” printing feature that provides a more accurate version of those reports than ever before
  • THREE! New print features – We introduce a new “Direct” printing feature that handles more ESC codes and sequences for use when RAW, Interpreted, and Enhanced can’t get it right (Expert Mode).
  • FOUR! New print features – We now have a print driver that will allow better print across new printers! All it requires is a one line code change!
  • New! Easy DOS Configuration Wizard simplifies the setup and launching of a single dBASE program
  • Enhanced DOS SHELL functionality
  • Display for resolutions above 800x600 are 100% sharper and easier to read
  • Improved backup system that makes it easier to find the configuration you are looking for

dBase dbDOS PRO 4 was released on May 6, 2015.[9] New features in this release include: May 6, 2014

  • ONE! New live files system – Allows you to make changes outside of the dbDOS™ VM and see changes immediately inside the VM.
  • TWO! dbDOS™ PRO 4 is 38% faster – The new engine out performs the last release by 38%!
  • THREE! 4DOS Integration – Will allow for more advanced command processing in the product and running DOS based scripts.
  • FOUR! New look – The new look makes the product easier to understand and use right out of the box.
  • Enhanced PDF print functionality.
  • Enhanced Display for resolutions above 800x600 are 100% sharper and easier to read.

dBase dbDOS PRO 4N was released on May 18, 2015.[10] New features in this release include: May 18, 2014

  • ONE! Multi-User Support – if you have multi-user designed applications you now have a solution!
  • TWO! New live files system – Allows you to make changes outside of the dbDOS™ VM and see changes immediately inside the VM
  • THREE! dbDOS™ PRO 4 is 38% faster – The new engine out performs the last release by 38%!
  • FOUR! dbDOS™ PRO 4N is built on-top of the widely used dbDOS™ PRO 4 product and it includes all the features of that product!

Architecture

dBase dbDOS has a unique architecture.

File:Dbdos 1 5 architecture.png
High Level Architecture dbDOS
  • dbDOS Config.exe; The new dbDOS Configuration adds significant features to manage Windows® shortcuts for running dBASE for DOS applications. One of the main comments with the initial dbDOS™ 1.0 product was that end-users wanted to be able to manage the shortcuts, they wanted to be able to delete them, and they wanted a way to share them. The new interface allows all of those features.
  • Windows Shortcut; An icon that is used to represent a specific executable program configured to run inside the dbDOS™ VM. This will usually have a name under the icon on the desktop or on the start menu, which describes what program will be executed when selected.
  • dbDOS™ VM Virtual Machine (dbDOS™ VM); The dbDOS™ VM or VM stands for Virtual Machine and with dbDOS™ it is a MS-DOS emulation that allows products developed for DOS based application to run inside the virtual machine. The VM supports the Windows® Operating Systems (XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7, and 8/8.1) in either 32 or 64-bit editions.
  • Applications (.com, .exe, .bat); One of the main goals from using the dbDOS Config.exe is to define a configuration that calls a .BAT, .COM, or a .EXE file to be executed inside the dbDOS™ VM.
  • Command Prompt; dbDOS Config.exe also allows configurations that will take the user to the command-prompt. From the command-prompt the user can use it just like a DOS prompt.
  • MS-Print Spooler; Output from the dbDOS™ VM is sent directly to the Print Spooler for printout
  • Print Output; Output is printed on the hardware available to the dbDOS™ VM.

Version history

Version Released Notes
1.0 May 23, 2012 Initial release.
1.1 June 22, 2012 Added ability to print to printers on host machine.
1.5 September 25, 2012 Enhanced memory configurations increased overall performance.
1.5.1 October 10, 2012 Enhanced printing capability to now closely resemble printouts from the 1980s and 90's.
2.0 August 23, 2013 New copy from Windows clipboard to dbDOS(TM) VM. New copy / paste from unique dbDOS(TM) buffer to Windows. Double the performance of the 1.x product. New Print Screen functionality introduced.
3.0 May 2, 2014 Enhanced printing capability to now closely resemble printouts from the 1980s and 90's. New! Easy DOS Configuration Wizard simplifies the setup and launching of a single dBASE program. Enhanced DOS SHELL functionality. Display for resolutions above 800x600 are 100% sharper and easier to read. Improved backup system that makes it easier to find the configuration you are looking for.
4.0 May 6, 2015 New! Live file system, better integration with Windows(R) New! Look & Feel NEW! 4DOS Integration - enhanced DOS SHELL functionality.[11]
4N May 18, 2015 New! Live file system for better integration with Windows(R) 64-bit machines. New! Networking capability with support for record locking. New! Look & Feel New! 4DOS Integration - Enhanced DOS SHELL functionality.[12]
4.0 May 20, 2015 dBase, LLC Announces support for Paradox® for DOS Ecosystem![13] dbDOS™ PRO 4 fully supports the Paradox® for DOS related products and services. dbDOS™ PRO 4, the best-selling solution for supporting MS-DOS® based applications on Windows® Vista and above operating systems runs the Paradox environment, applications, and databases seamlessly on these operating systems.
4.0 May 27, 2015 dBase, LLC Announces support for Lotus™ 1-2-3 for DOS![14] dbDOS™ PRO 4 fully supports the Lotus™ 1-2-3 for DOS related products and services. dbDOS™ PRO 4, the best-selling solution for supporting MS-DOS® based applications on Windows® Vista and above operating systems runs the Lotus 1-2-3 environment and applications seamlessly on these operating systems.

See also

References

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External links

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