CPM86

CPM86 is a 16-bit operating system developed by Digital Research. It was released in 1982 as an upgrade to the 8-bit CP/M-80 operating system. CPM86 was designed to run on Intel 8086 and 8088 microprocessors, which were becoming increasingly popular at the time. Its primary purpose was to provide a more powerful and capable environment for software development and business applications.

One of CPM86's key features was its ability to run larger and more complex programs than its 8-bit predecessor. It also introduced memory management capabilities, allowing for more efficient use of system resources. CPM86 was largely compatible with CP/M-80 software, which helped in its adoption by users and developers familiar with the CP/M ecosystem. However, it was not as widely successful as some other 16-bit operating systems that emerged around the same time.

Despite its technical merits, CPM86 faced significant competition, most notably from Microsoft's MS-DOS, which was bundled with the IBM PC. The IBM PC's dominance in the market meant that MS-DOS quickly became the de facto standard for 16-bit personal computing. While CPM86 saw some use in specific hardware configurations and niche markets, it ultimately failed to achieve widespread adoption and was eventually superseded by other operating systems. Digital Research continued to develop its operating systems, but CPM86 remains a notable chapter in the history of early 16-bit computing.