OSIV/F2 (*) was one of the operating systems (hereinafter “OS”) for Fujitsu’s FACOM M series general-purpose computers, and was a medium-scale general-purpose OS for medium-scale business operations. The OS was announced in November 1974 as the successor OS to the company’s medium-scale general-purpose OSs BOS and BOS/VS, and began shipping in January 1977.
The following describes the features of OSIV/F2, its major functions and functional enhancements.
*: OSIV/F2 was pronounced “OS four F two” The letters “OSIV” represented 4th generation OSs, and were added to the heads of the names of all OSs for the FACOM M series computers.
1. Features of OSIV/F2
At that time, in addition to ease of use and economic efficiency, almost same functionality with large-scale general-purpose OSs was required for medium-scale general-purpose OSs in order to meet the needs for diversified information processing. OSIV/F2 was developed taking these factors into account, and had the following features:
At that time, in addition to ease of use and economic efficiency, almost same functionality with large-scale general-purpose OSs was required for medium-scale general-purpose OSs in order to meet the needs for diversified information processing. OSIV/F2 was developed taking these factors into account, and had the following features:
(1) Covered a wide range of performance from medium to large computers of the M series
The OS provided a virtual memory address space up to 16 MB through effective utilization of the DAT (Dynamic Address Translation) mechanism. In addition, it adopted various functions for increasing system performance including the channel DAT, which had been one of the features of the architecture of the M series with the higher OSs OSIV/F4 and OSIV/X8 till then, to cover a broad range of performance from medium to large computers.
The OS provided a virtual memory address space up to 16 MB through effective utilization of the DAT (Dynamic Address Translation) mechanism. In addition, it adopted various functions for increasing system performance including the channel DAT, which had been one of the features of the architecture of the M series with the higher OSs OSIV/F4 and OSIV/X8 till then, to cover a broad range of performance from medium to large computers.
(2) Provision of online database AIM (Advanced Information Manager)
By providing AIM, which was a comprehensive online database integrating various online functions and enhanced database management functions, the OS facilitated the development of online application programs to suit various business operations.
By providing AIM, which was a comprehensive online database integrating various online functions and enhanced database management functions, the OS facilitated the development of online application programs to suit various business operations.
(3) Provision of operating functions that realized ease of use and high efficiency
The OS achieved easy operation of the system by providing a cataloged procedure function and a standard file definition function that released the user from the burden of creating a control statement. In addition, the OS increased efficiency in system operation by providing an automatic spooling function and an accounting information function for the system administrator.
The OS achieved easy operation of the system by providing a cataloged procedure function and a standard file definition function that released the user from the burden of creating a control statement. In addition, the OS increased efficiency in system operation by providing an automatic spooling function and an accounting information function for the system administrator.
(4) Compatibility
OSIV/F2 achieved backward compatibility with BOS and BOS/VS, which were the previous medium general-purpose OSs. In addition, OSIV/F2 provided functions that were compatible with the industry-standard DOS/VS.
OSIV/F2 achieved backward compatibility with BOS and BOS/VS, which were the previous medium general-purpose OSs. In addition, OSIV/F2 provided functions that were compatible with the industry-standard DOS/VS.
2. Major functions of OSIV/F2
OSIV/F2 had the following functions:
OSIV/F2 had the following functions:
(1) Virtual memory control
OSIV/F2 adopted a single virtual memory control instead of the multiple virtual memory control adopted by OSIV/F4 and OSIV/X8, to support virtual memory address space of up to 16 MB.
In OSIV/F2, the real memory area was divided into a supervisor resident area and a page pool area, and the latter was used for programs executed in the virtual memory. And the page pool area consisted of processing program execution areas, called partitions, and SVA (Shared Virtual Area) used as a common resource.
The supervisor dynamically allocated processing programs, which used the partitions (*1), and the common program to the page pool. The page allocation unit was 2K bytes. The supervisor provided functions such as page fixing and page-in/page-out. Such functions were for those programs that required special page handling.
OSIV/F2 adopted a single virtual memory control instead of the multiple virtual memory control adopted by OSIV/F4 and OSIV/X8, to support virtual memory address space of up to 16 MB.
In OSIV/F2, the real memory area was divided into a supervisor resident area and a page pool area, and the latter was used for programs executed in the virtual memory. And the page pool area consisted of processing program execution areas, called partitions, and SVA (Shared Virtual Area) used as a common resource.
The supervisor dynamically allocated processing programs, which used the partitions (*1), and the common program to the page pool. The page allocation unit was 2K bytes. The supervisor provided functions such as page fixing and page-in/page-out. Such functions were for those programs that required special page handling.
*1: The initial maximum number of partitions was 5. This was later extended to 8, and then 12.
(2) Online database OSIV/F2 AIM
OSIV/F2 provided the online database AIM while maintaining continuity with upper OSs. OSIV/F2 AIM enabled the user to easily create an online application program using a high-level language such as COBOL and PL/I, and had the following features:
OSIV/F2 provided the online database AIM while maintaining continuity with upper OSs. OSIV/F2 AIM enabled the user to easily create an online application program using a high-level language such as COBOL and PL/I, and had the following features:
- Provision of various online functions (message control functions)
- Enhanced database management (hierarchical network data structure, data retrieval, data update, etc.))
- Various system development tools (debugging tool, utilities for database design)
- Easy system operation (easy setting of operation environment, to ease burden on the center operator)
- Achievement of a high-reliability system (exclusive control through dynamic occupation, log acquisition for recovery/restart)
- Achievement of high processing capacity (multiprogramming proportionate to the system scale, efficient database access)
(3) Operational/operating functions with substantially increased efficiency
With OSIV/F2, Fujitsu aimed at substantially increasing operational and operating efficiency centered on JES (Job Entry Subsystem). The major functions were:
With OSIV/F2, Fujitsu aimed at substantially increasing operational and operating efficiency centered on JES (Job Entry Subsystem). The major functions were:
- Spooling function of JES designed to input and fetch a job, using a direct access device
- Functions of JES such as warm/cold start, notification to the operator of a form number and restart of printing
- Enhanced job scheduling functions
- Function for dynamically indicating system status and job status on the display console
(4) RES (Remote Entry Services) that realized remote batch processing)
OSIV/F2 provided RES in order to achieve remote batch processing. RES provided a host service function and a terminal service function. In case of the host service function, OSIV/F2 worked as a host, and RES controlled inputting and fetching a batch job from a remote terminal. In case of the terminal service function, OSIV/F2 worked as a terminal, and RES transmitted an input job from a system with OSIV/F2 to the center host and controlled fetching and printing the result of the job.
OSIV/F2 provided RES in order to achieve remote batch processing. RES provided a host service function and a terminal service function. In case of the host service function, OSIV/F2 worked as a host, and RES controlled inputting and fetching a batch job from a remote terminal. In case of the terminal service function, OSIV/F2 worked as a terminal, and RES transmitted an input job from a system with OSIV/F2 to the center host and controlled fetching and printing the result of the job.
3. Enhanced functions of OSIV/F2
A DOS/VS compatible version (E10) and a BOS/VS compatible version (E16) of OSIV/F2, and OSIV/F2 AIM (DC), were completed in January 1977, May 1978 and July 1978, respectively. Subsequently, in 1979, Fujitsu announced support for the Japanese-language information system JEF.
In June 1982, the company introduced the new medium-scale general-purpose OS OSIV/ESP V2 based on OSIV/F2 in order to provide medium-scale general-purpose computers M-310 and 320, and a core computer for OA (office automation). With OSIV/ESP V2, the company provided the relational database DB/E II, which facilitated program development and operation, and OA products that supported office work. Further functions were provided for achieving a distributed system that was able to connect the FACOM system 80 office computer and the FACOM 9450II personal computer via network.
OSIV/ESP V2 was succeeded by OSIV/ESP III, which was a new OS announced in June 1984.
A DOS/VS compatible version (E10) and a BOS/VS compatible version (E16) of OSIV/F2, and OSIV/F2 AIM (DC), were completed in January 1977, May 1978 and July 1978, respectively. Subsequently, in 1979, Fujitsu announced support for the Japanese-language information system JEF.
In June 1982, the company introduced the new medium-scale general-purpose OS OSIV/ESP V2 based on OSIV/F2 in order to provide medium-scale general-purpose computers M-310 and 320, and a core computer for OA (office automation). With OSIV/ESP V2, the company provided the relational database DB/E II, which facilitated program development and operation, and OA products that supported office work. Further functions were provided for achieving a distributed system that was able to connect the FACOM system 80 office computer and the FACOM 9450II personal computer via network.
OSIV/ESP V2 was succeeded by OSIV/ESP III, which was a new OS announced in June 1984.