AmigaDOS

AmigaDOS is the disk operating system component of AmigaOS used on the Amiga family of computers. It provides the file system, disk and device input/output, and a command-line interface, and is closely integrated with the Exec kernel and the Workbench graphical environment. Access to AmigaDOS is exposed through the dos.library API, the built-in Shell command interpreter, and the Workbench user interface.

Historically, AmigaDOS appeared with the early Amiga systems in the 1980s and evolved through multiple revisions alongside the hardware and Workbench. It manages storage volumes, file and directory metadata, and the assignment and mounting of devices. The system supports logical mappings, so names or paths can be redirected to different devices or folders as needed.

File systems supported by AmigaDOS include the native Old File System and, later, the Fast File System, with subsequent improvements in performance, reliability, and feature support across versions. AmigaDOS also handles startup and boot processes from bootable disks, loading the necessary DOS components and utilities for use within both the command-line interface and the graphical Workbench.

In operation, AmigaDOS provides multitasking-capable file and device management in concert with the Exec kernel, offering asynchronous input/output and inter-process communication to drive hardware and software components. While modern iterations of AmigaOS have moved beyond its classic roots, AmigaDOS remains a defining element of the original Amiga experience, shaping its approach to file management and device access.