low-level OS?

[ryokimball]

I'm looking into the workings of modern computers, and it seems that it has been at least a decade since a computer and a user have worked anywhere close to each other, system-wise --id est, the OS is usually a bundle of n many layers (at least 2) between the user and the hardware. I've been looking for ways to bypass or simply work with less OS and more hardware, but there doesn't seem to be much of an area to learn in these areas. What are some of the lowest level operating systems, programming languages, ad nauseam that you all know of?

[carlosponti]

there is an operating system written entirely in assembly.

[ryokimball]

MenuetOS, right? I've looked at it before, but I thought it had some thing(s) that made it out of my range of options... I looks again.

[wowbag1]

A couple of suggestions.

If you want to get close to how an OS and computer works - try compiling C programs with GCC to output assembly language, which you can then manipulate. This will give an aspect of it.
You could try COLOR FORTH language.
Try using DosBox and then writing DOS modules, assembly language, using BIOS functions, all within an emulator, as far as I know it all works.

[ryokimball]

MenuetOS, right? I've looked at it before, but I thought it had some thing(s) that made it out of my range of options... I looks again.

Oh, yeah. I have no working floppy drives on any of my computers.

[ryokimball]

try compiling C programs with GCC to output assembly language, which you can then manipulate.

You can do that?!
I'll have to check it out, but the only book I have had on Assembly was last seen drenched and moldy in our last house's shop.

You could try COLOR FORTH language.

Never heard of it. Shall look...

Try using DosBox and then writing DOS modules, assembly language, using BIOS functions, all within an emulator, as far as I know it all works.

I'll look into this, too.


I suppose it would help if I explained myself a little more. Essentially, I'm burning a candle on both ends: I am expanding on what I know about the hardware and software sides of computing, and hoping that this will eventually lead to a complete understanding of how computers work. "Good luck with that..." or worse has been the opinions of me saying this, but I am going for it anyways.

[wowbag1]

I think it is worth it, what you are doing.
I think it is one of the great things with Linux that it allows you to reallllllly dig into computing.