Microsoft has partnered with the Computer History Museum to release the original source code of two landmark programs: MS-DOS and Word for Windows. The museum selected these programs for their historical significance in the evolution of computing. MS-DOS was first developed in 1982 as a disk operating system for IBM-compatible PCs. Word for Windows, a popular word processor, was released in 1990. Microsoft Research’s Roy Levin praised the museum’s efforts to preserve and share these important software programs.
The story of MS-DOS traces back to 1980 when IBM enlisted a small Seattle-based company to work on an operating system project codenamed “Chess.” This company later licensed an operating system from Seattle Computer Products, which served as the foundation for PC-DOS and MS-DOS. Microsoft found success with the release of the mouse-operated version of Word for DOS in 1983. By 1989, Word for Windows emerged as a top contender in the word processing market, eventually capturing a significant share of revenue.
Levin emphasized the critical role MS-DOS and Word for Windows played in Microsoft’s growth and success in the technology industry. By contributing the source codes of these programs to the Computer History Museum, Microsoft aims to provide future technologists with insights into the early days of personal computing. The preservation of historical source code, like that of MS-DOS and Word for Windows, allows for a deeper understanding of the evolution of software and its impact on society.
The Computer History Museum houses a collection of innovative historical source codes, including Apple II DOS, IBM APL, Apple MacPaint, QuickDraw, and Adobe Photoshop. Len Shustek, the museum’s president, believes that preserving these codes is essential for studying the development of software and its role in shaping civilization. The availability of these source codes offers an opportunity for the community to explore and appreciate the roots of modern technology.
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https://betanews.com/2014/03/25/microsoft-makes-source-code-for-ms-dos-and-word-for-windows-publicly-available-for-the-first-time/
