Subject: Re: DOS 3.3 & ProDOS & other Apple II OSs
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From: Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>
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Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 16:28:53 -0500
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Gabriel Morales writes ...
> 
> I am writing a small piece for new Apple II users. Since I only use a
> few applications on my Apple II, I have a few questions:
> 
> What are the fundamental differences between DOS 3.3 & ProDOS to a new
> Apple II user?
>

     First, it helps to know that, practically speaking, 'regular' DOS 3.3 was
replaced back in 1982 by ProntoDOS, a patch by Tom Weishaar released by Beagle
Bros. Besides much better speed, ProtoDOS frees nearly a full additional track of
storage space. (A Version 2 release added display of free sectors. EsDOS][ added
the semi-colon wildcard character.)

Note: "ProntoDOS" is not "ProDOS. "ProntoDOS"= a patched speedier DOS 3.3;
"ProDOS"= a whole new disk operating system.

     There have been other speeded DOS 3.3's. David DOS and Diversi DOS are pretty
well known; and several software vendors created custom versions of DOS 3.3.

     The point of the above is that, from 1982 onward, "DOS 3.3" users were using
a speeded DOS 3.3. When someone says "DOS 3.3" today, he/she is generally talking
about a patched DOS 3.3-- usually, some version of ProntoDOS.


     The main difference between DOS 3.3 and ProDOS a new user is likely to notice
is that ProDOS can not run programs on DOS 3.3 disks. (And, DOS 3.3 can not run
programs on ProDOS disks.)  Some other differences a new user is likely to notice
include ...

o- DOS 3.3 lets you create new bootable DOS 3.3 diskettes easily via the INIT
command. ProDOS requires you to use a utility such as Copy II Plus to format a new
ProDOS disk and copy the core ProDOS programs (PRODOS and BASIC.SYSTEM) to the new
disk.

o- ProDOS is, generally, much faster than old DOS 3.3. It is about as fast as
newer, patched, versions of DOS 3.3.

o- Compared with current 'DOS 3.3' versions, ProDOS takes noticeably longer for
some file handling tasks, such as Deleting.

o- Compared with current 'DOS 3.3' versions, ProDOS takes longer to 'boot up' and
start a program.

o- ProDOS lets you name disks and easily change disk names. DOS 3.3 has no disk
naming feature except being able to INIT a disk with a specific Volume Number
(and, this Volume Number is not easy to change).

o- ProDOS does not leave as much space for big BASIC programs.

o- In general, ProDOS is more bother to use than DOS 3.3.

o- ProDOS lets you use bigger disks, such as 800k 3.5" diskettes and hard disks.

o- ProDOS lets you put files into folders (and folders within other folders).

o- ProDOS does not let you have as many files on a disk unless you use folders.


     While all of the above are valid, they reflect the advantages of a DOS which
nicely fits 140k 5.25" media ('DOS 3.3') vs. a DOS which can handle much larger
media.

     It took years for ProDOS to become established as the chief Apple II DOS
because, until release of the IIgs, most users depended upon 5.25" 140k diskettes
for program storage. Overall, 'DOS 3.3' is a better OS for 140k disks and it has
always been much better documented.


     Once a new user gets some experience, some important similarities will become
noticeable:

     DOS 3.3 and ProDOS commands are very similar, often identical.

     DOS 3.3 and ProDOS 5.25" diskettes use the same basic 35-Track,
16-Sectors/Track setup. The ordering of sectors is different; but, a DOS 3.3
sector editor or fast copier will work fine on a ProDOS 5.25" diskette.



 
> For which is there more software available?
>

     There are certainly more DOS 3.3 titles-- i.e. there are a lot more separate
games and other programs for DOS 3.3. On the other hand, there are sure to be more
MB's of ProDOS stuff. Just Appleworks alone accounts for many MB of files
requiring ProDOS.

 
> What other operating systems are available for the Apple II (I know of
> at least the GS OS, of course)?
>

     The other important Apple II DOS is the one associated with Pascal. Several
A2 word processors were designed as Pascal applications.

 
> On what models do these run?

     If you have at least a 64k Apple II+, you can run under all of the DOS's up
through v1.9 of ProDOS, except, perhaps, later versions of the Pascal DOS-- don't
know about that. (Pre-II+ Apple II's can not run Applesoft BASIC programs under
ProDOS unless a ROM is added to get Applesoft in-ROM.)

     Later (2.x) versions of ProDOS can run on an enhanced IIe or later Apple II.
Only the IIgs can run ProDOS 16 or GS/OS.




Rubywand