Microsoft Operating System/2(TM) Software Development Kit Provides Tools to Allow Application Development For New Operating System
Redmond, WA -- April 2, 1987 -- Microsoft Corporation today announced the MS OS/2(TM) Software Development Kit, which allows software developers to begin the work of moving applications software to the new MS OS/2 for 80286 and 80386-based personal computers.
The developer's toolkit contains a beta-release version of the MS OS/2 system kernel, technical specifications for the MS OS/2 Windows presentation manager and MS OS/2 LAN Manager, new versions of Microsoft's macro assembler (MASM) and C language compilers, the CodeView(TM) debugger and other software development tools, including a programmer's editor.
Containing all the components that developers require to write applications for this new environment, the toolkit will be regularly updated by Microsoft until the final release of MS OS/2. These updates will include the MS OS/2 Windows presentation manager and MS OS/2 LAN manager software components and associated development tools. Microsoft will also be providing intensive training and support services to users of the toolkit.
"With IBM's announcement of the availability of IBM Operating System/2(TM) to end-users in the first quarter of 1988, this toolkit will be extremely important to developers," said Steven Ballmer, vice president of systems software for Microsoft. "The release of the toolkit marks the point at which protected-mode applications software development can really begin."
Planned for release on August 1 and priced at $3,000 (U.S.), the development toolkit includes an attendance credit for a technical seminar, a one-year license for Microsoft's Direct Information Access Line (DIAL) system, an electronic mail technical support service, and a subscription to the Microsoft Systems Journal. Direct telephone support is available for another $1,000 annually.
"Because the toolkit is a complete set of development tools, applications developers will be able to begin serious work on the design and development of protected-mode applications which utilize the complete MS OS/2 environment, including the MS OS/2 Windows presentation manager and LAN manager services," said Ballmer. "Training and support are also very important components of the toolkit. The specifications alone run to more than two thousand pages. By offering this high level of support and training in advance of the end-user availability of MS OS/2, we are doing everything we can to help the development community."
Regular updates to the Software Development Kit are included in the licensing fee. Updates will, over time, include the MS OS/2 Windows presentation manager and the MS OS/2 LAN Manager software products and associated development tools. The first technical training seminars are scheduled for Seattle, June 2-4, and New York, July 8- 9. Further seminars will be held in September and October.
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OS/2(TM) SDK Product Information
Introduction
The Microsoft Operating System/2 Software Development Kit (MS OS/2(TM) SDK) is a release of Microsoft OS/2(TM) for software developers which includes a comprehensive set of software development tools. The MS OS/2 SDK will enable developers to begin design and development of MS OS/2 applications and systems products in advance of the general end-user release of MS OS/2. Microsoft is also providing comprehensive product support services and training seminars for developers using the MS OS/2 SDK.
All of the software components of the MS OS/2 SDK are pre-release versions of the final products. These components will be updated regularly by Microsoft until the final end-user releases become available. Microsoft already supplies a Windows Software Development Kit for the MS-DOS(R) version of Windows.
Product Features
The first release of the MS OS/2 SDK includes the following components:
The Microsoft C compiler and MASM assembler are upward compatible versions of Microsoft's current MS-DOS based retail products (Microsoft C version 4.0 and MASM 4.0). These new releases of the language products incorporate several new features for the MS OS/2 environment, including the ability to compile and link programs which will run in either real or protected mode under MS OS/2, as well as significant improvements in the code optimization of the C compiler.
In addition to the software items listed previously, each licensee of the MS OS/2 SDK will receive an automatic one-year subscription to the Microsoft Direct Information Access Line (DIAL), Microsoft's electronic mail-based product support system. This will be supplemented by information to be published in the Microsoft Systems Journal and three-day training seminars given by Microsoft technical personnel. The seminars will begin in June. Each license of the MS OS/2 SDK includes attendance at a training seminar for no additional charge.
All of the above items are part of the first release of the MS OS/2 SDK. In addition, the first release of the MS OS/2 SDK will include specifications for the MS OS/2 Windows presentation manager and the MS OS/2 LAN Manager. Pre release versions of these software components and the associated software development tools will be released to developers in the form of updates to the MS OS/2 SDK.
Product Background
The MS OS/2 SDK comprises several software components. The basic program development tools, including the C compiler and macro assembler, are the latest versions of current Microsoft products. The MS OS/2 operating system in the SDK is a pre-release version of the product. The MS OS/2 LAN Manager is the newly announced local area networking system designed for the MS OS/2 environment.
Product Q & A
What personal computers does the MS OS/2 SDK run on?
The product will run on a number of current personal computers including the IBM PC AT, the COMPAQ Deskpro 286 and Deskpro 386, the Zenith Z-241, Z-248 and Z-386, and machines compatible with these systems. The MS OS/2 product itself is designed to run on any 80286 or 80386-based personal computer and, as is the case with MS-DOS, the product will be licensed through PC manufacturers (OEMs) who adapt, test and market the product for their particular machines.
What machine configuration is required by the MS OS/2 SDK?
The recommended system configuration is 1.5 Mb of memory, a hard-disk, and a graphics display and adapter. To use the MS OS/2 LAN Manager, a PC-compatible network interface card is required.
Why is the MS OS/2 Windows presentation manager not being provided with the first release of the MS OS/2 SDK?
The development of the entire MS OS/2 systems software platform, including the operating system kernel, the Windows presentation manager, and the LAN Manager is a lengthy and complex project. It also takes time for application developers to analyze and understand the capabilities of this new generation of systems software. For example, the specifications of the kernel and presentation manager amount to more than one thousand pages of documentation. Thus, this first release of the MS OS/2 SDK includes a full specification for all components, plus program development tools and a development base for initial design and implementation of new applications. The MS OS/2 Windows presentation manager and MS OS/2 LAN Manager software components will be available as updates to the MS OS/2 SDK in the near future.
How much does the SDK cost?
Microsoft will be licensing the MS OS/2 SDK for $3,000 a copy.
Why is the SDK so expensive?
The SDK is not expensive. In order to provide the very high level of detailed technical support that users of the SDK will require, Microsoft has to have a large, highly trained support staff. Thus our costs are very high. We expect to help a large number of developers build products for the new systems software platform and, thereby, assist in the provision of those applications to end-users.
IBM and PC AT are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.
COMPAQ is a registered trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation.
Zenith is a registered trademark of Zenith Radio Corporation.
For more information contact:
Microsoft Corporation
Marty Taucher/Kathryn Hinsch
(206) 882-8080
The Waggener Group
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(503) 245-0905