nonDOS

nonDOS is a lightweight, open-source operating system designed for educational purposes and low-resource environments. Created as a minimalist alternative to traditional operating systems, it emphasizes simplicity, transparency, and hands-on learning. The project is often used in academic settings to teach fundamental concepts of operating systems, including process management, memory allocation, and file systems.

Developed primarily in assembly language and C, nonDOS is structured around a monolithic kernel architecture, which consolidates core system functions into a single executable. This design choice simplifies development and debugging while maintaining performance efficiency. The system is compatible with x86 architecture and can be booted from a floppy disk or USB drive, making it accessible for legacy hardware or emulation environments like QEMU.

One of the key features of nonDOS is its modularity. Users can extend or modify its functionality by adding custom drivers, file systems, or applications. This flexibility encourages experimentation and deepens understanding of how operating systems operate under the hood. The project also includes a simple command-line interface (CLI) for basic interactions, such as file management and process control.

nonDOS is distributed under an open-source license, allowing free use, modification, and redistribution. While not intended for production use, it serves as an excellent resource for students, hobbyists, and developers interested in operating system design. The project’s documentation and source code are publicly available, fostering collaboration and further development within the community.