MachTen
Encyclopedia
MachTen is a Unix-like
operating system
from Tenon Intersystems that runs as an application program (in a virtual machine
) on Apple Macintosh computers running Mac OS
.
MachTen is based on 4.4BSD
and the Mach kernel, and features the X Window System
and GNU
programming tools. MachTen development started in 1989, culminating in the first release in 1991. The Professional MachTen branch, intended for 68000
-based Macintoshes, ended with release 2.3. The Power MachTen branch, which was Power Macintosh
compatible, lacked some of the features of Professional MachTen (including true virtual
and protected memory models), but took full advantage of the PowerPC
processor and was compatible with Mac OS 9
through its final version, 4.1.4. MachTen is no longer developed, as it was largely superseded by Mac OS X
.
Unix-like
A Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
from Tenon Intersystems that runs as an application program (in a virtual machine
Virtual machine
A virtual machine is a "completely isolated guest operating system installation within a normal host operating system". Modern virtual machines are implemented with either software emulation or hardware virtualization or both together.-VM Definitions:A virtual machine is a software...
) on Apple Macintosh computers running Mac OS
Mac OS
Mac OS is a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
.
MachTen is based on 4.4BSD
Berkeley Software Distribution
Berkeley Software Distribution is a Unix operating system derivative developed and distributed by the Computer Systems Research Group of the University of California, Berkeley, from 1977 to 1995...
and the Mach kernel, and features the X Window System
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
and GNU
GNU
GNU is a Unix-like computer operating system developed by the GNU project, ultimately aiming to be a "complete Unix-compatible software system"...
programming tools. MachTen development started in 1989, culminating in the first release in 1991. The Professional MachTen branch, intended for 68000
Motorola 68000
The Motorola 68000 is a 16/32-bit CISC microprocessor core designed and marketed by Freescale Semiconductor...
-based Macintoshes, ended with release 2.3. The Power MachTen branch, which was Power Macintosh
Power Macintosh
Power Macintosh, later Power Mac, was a line of Apple Macintosh workstation-class personal computers based on various models of PowerPC microprocessors that were developed, marketed, and supported by Apple Inc. from March 1994 until August 2006. The first models were the Power Macintosh 6100,...
compatible, lacked some of the features of Professional MachTen (including true virtual
Virtual memory
In computing, virtual memory is a memory management technique developed for multitasking kernels. This technique virtualizes a computer architecture's various forms of computer data storage , allowing a program to be designed as though there is only one kind of memory, "virtual" memory, which...
and protected memory models), but took full advantage of the PowerPC
PowerPC
PowerPC is a RISC architecture created by the 1991 Apple–IBM–Motorola alliance, known as AIM...
processor and was compatible with Mac OS 9
Mac OS 9
Mac OS 9 is the final major release of Apple's Mac OS before the launch of Mac OS X. Introduced on October 23, 1999, Apple positioned it as "The Best Internet Operating System Ever," highlighting Sherlock 2's Internet search capabilities, integration with Apple's free online services known as...
through its final version, 4.1.4. MachTen is no longer developed, as it was largely superseded by Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
.