Topic       : The ATARI Compendium
Author      : Scott Sanders / JAY Software
Version     : 1.25 (20/6/2003)
Subject     : Documentation
Nodes       : 1117
Index Size  : 32614
HCP-Version : 6
Compiled on : Atari
@charset    : UTF-8
@lang       : en
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The first Atari ST computers became available to the public in 1985. The
new Atari models were the first 16-bit computers well-suited for use in
the home. The availability of these computers signaled the end of the
Atari 8-bit era of computers such as the 400, 800, 600XL, 800XL, 1200XL,
1450XLD, 65XE, 800XE and 130XE computers.

The name 'ST' is derived from the capabilities of the Motorola 68000
processor upon which the original Atari line was based. The 68000 uses
a Sixteen-bit data bus with a Thirty-two bit address bus.

16-bit computers introduced a new concept in computer technology called
the operating system (OS). Atari's operating system, The Operating System
(TOS), was loaded from a boot disk originally, but is now almost always
installed in ROM.

A primary subsystem of TOS is GEM ('Graphics Environment Manager'), the
graphical user interface used by Atari computers. GEM, which was developed
by Digital Research, Inc., manages the graphic interface to applications
and provides access to popular computing features with buzzwords such as
windows, the mouse, menus, and the desktop.

GEM was originally designed for PC-compatible computers. PC-based GEM,
however, is no longer completely compatible with Atari GEM. Only
components of GEM relative to its use on the Atari will be covered in this
guide. Some functions which were originally documented for Atari GEM yet
never implemented have been included for completeness.

Other TOS subsystems include GEMDOS, the BIOS, and the XBIOS. These
subsystems provide a hardware interface and management functions for the
file system.

The original ST computers featured the following:

   ° Motorola 68000 32-bit processor running at 8MHz

   ° Integrated GEM/TOS operating system

   ° RAM memory storage of 256k, 512k, or 1 Mbyte (depending on model)

   ° Built-in MIDI, dual joystick, floppy drive, ACSI, serial, and
     parallel ports

   ° Sophisticated DMA peripheral access

   ° Yamaha 3-voice FM sound generator

   ° External 128k cartridge port

   ° Integrated video controller capable of generating (320x200x16),
     (640x200x4), and (640x400x2) video modes from as many as 512 colors