from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Convergent Technologies Operating System
BTOS
STARSYS
<operating system> (CTOS, BTOS, STARSYS) /see-toss/ A modular,
{message-passing}, {multi-process} based {operating system}.
{Convergent Technologies}' first product was the IWS
(Integrated Workstation) based on the {Intel 8086}, which had
CTOS as its operating system. It is a modular operating
system with built in {local area networking}. CTOS supports
multiple processes or {threads}, and message-based
{inter-process communication}.
Companies which have licensed CTOS include {Burroughs} (BTOS)
and {Bull} (STARSYS). The largest customer was {Unisys}, with
whom Convergent Technologies merged to become one company in
1988. CTOS now has over 800,000 users worldwide.
CTOS runs on Intel {Pentium} computers, and can run
concurrently with {Microsoft} {Windows NT}.
For some reason, CTOS is no longer marketted to new customers,
although there is a support comittment for existing customers
until 2001. Major customers include Police Forces, Banks, and
Airlines.
Latest version: CTOS III 1.3.2.
["Exploring CTOS", Miller E., Crook J., Loy J. - Prentice
Hall, ISBN 0-13-297342-1, 1991].
(1996-09-24)