DOS and UNIX on Windows7

[ArpitRaj]

I have the following queries :

1. Whenever I execute a C/C++ program (using DOS Box), system exits from DOS. Is it bcoz Windows7 does not support DOS? Is there any solution?

2. I am planning to learn UNIX and want to install it on Windows7? I have enabled "Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA)" from "Control Panel>Programs>Turn Windows features on or off", but I do not know which file to download from this link Download details: Utilities and SDK for Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications in Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Is this right way or is there any other way?

Awaiting your reply.

Regards
Arpit

 

[Lemur]

I think a much better solution is to install a virtual pc, such as Virtualbox or VMware Player (both free). They support DOS and UNIX. Any reason why UNIX instead of Linux? If UNIX, are you installing Solaris?

 

[Kari]

You could for instance pause the execution of your program just before it ends. Just add a pause before the return call in the end. the end of your code could for instance look like this:

system("pause");
 return 0;
}

Function system("pause") (C++) causes the program to stop until a key is pressed, printing "Press any key to continue" on screen.

Your other question is about Unix. I'm sorry to ask but do you know what Unix is? It is not a programming language. It is not something you can do or practice with Windows. Unix is a computer operating system, some users say The Operating System. Linux for instance are based on Linux.

If you want to learn Unix, you'll find more information here: The UNIX System

Kari

 

[unifex]

There is a way to learn something about Unix (or Linux - I have never actually understood how Linux is different, apart from being "free" and PC-oriented) without buying yourself a new computer or using virtual machines. What you can do it to install an emulation layer. A free one is called Cygwin and then there are also commercial variants, X-Win32 comes to mind. These emulation layers give you a Unix-like feeling by porting a number of common Unix utilities to Windows, including shells (bash, tsch, etc.), various "commands" (grep, gawk, etc.), and so on. For a beginner this should be sufficient. They are not however a way to turn your machine into a Unix workstation. If you want more than just a feeling, then get another hard drive and install one of the free Linux distros.

 

[Lemur]

Here is a screenshot of a DOS installation on Virtualbox. Just as easy on VMWare Player. Also has option for UNIX, Linux, Windows variants, etc.

 

[mjf]

I have Virtual box 3.2.1 and am an absolute rank amateur. But I find it slow and the window tiny - now shoot me down, I might learn something.

If someone wanted to learn linux maybe a BIOS boot to a USB flash drive or external HDD is an option. I seen lots of problems with people multibooting Ubuntu on the Windows 7 internal. I have 2 versions of linux on flash drives and DOS.

 

[Kari]

Tiny window? Why don't you run VirtualBox guest machine in full screen? For instance following these instructions in installing Linux to VirtualBox you can then use Windows controls to make the windows precisely as big as you wish: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ndows-7-virtual-machine-using-virtualbox.html

A dual boot Windows / Linux works also well.

Kari

 

[mjf]

Thanks I'll take a look at the tutorial. What about the speed issue.

I've seen numerous posts on this forum of people getting into trouble dual booting windows 7 and Ubuntu. All I'm saying is that it doesn't look like it's always plain sailing. Some of the long standing members appear to favour BIOS dual/multi booting.

 

[Kari]

First, please keep in your mind this is my subjective opinion, based only on my own experience. Facts can be found on the net and in the library

I have had no speed or other problems in using different Linux distros in VirtualBox, or installing a Windows / Linux dual boot. I guess it's partly because I'll always try to do things, especially when I'm doing it first time ever, exactly as I've been told and / or how the manual or instructions say it should be done. I mean, no shortcuts or "that must not be important, I'll just ignore that" attitude. Like everything else in computing, the principle is easy: If your system is well maintained and you follow the instructions, it usually works.

If the Guest Additions are installed, RAM & Video RAM memory settings correct, there should be no speed problems. In any case you are not using a virtual machine to play GFX intensive multiplayer online games or to edit HD video.

If dual boot is more your thing, I recommend using BIOS to choose which OS to boot, if your system is up to it. If you use traditional bootloader, my recommendation is and has always been to install Windows first, and let Linux handle bootloader.

Kari

 

[Kari]

This is why I prefer virtual machines whenever possible.

First, my windows 7 dual display system. Main display on the right reserved for Windows, left having Solaris Unix in full screen mode. With VirtualBox Guest Additions mouse totally integrated, moving without restrictions from one OS to next, keyboard working on any active app or window, regardless of which OS it belongs. Cross OS copy & paste and share of course working:



And then even better, Solaris running on left display in so called seamless mode, i.e. desktop is integrated to Windows desktop, shared with it. For instance in this screenshot on left display there's a Windows Explorer window together with Solaris File Browser and Solaris Mozilla net browser. Solaris taskbar and Launch menu ("Start Menu") on left display, Windows Taskbar and Start menu on right display:



I just love to use PC like this!

Kari

 

[ArpitRaj]

Diff between UNIX and Linux

I think a much better solution is to install a virtual pc, such as Virtualbox or VMware Player (both free). They support DOS and UNIX. Any reason why UNIX instead of Linux? If UNIX, are you installing Solaris?

1. No reason for choosing UNIX instead of Linux. Are they interrelated?
2. I just came to know about UNIX, so I thought of exploring it. I would also like to know about Linux, what setup to get and how to install it?
3. I came to know about Solaris but didn't know where to get its setup from and how to install it? Can u help?

I am a novice in terms of UNIX and Linux, it would be very kind of you to answer my queries(ie clarification between UNIX and Linux and how to work on/learn them).

Regards
Arpit

 

[mjf]

A very impressive scotch I mean screen display.

 

[Kari]

Oracle Solaris download: Solaris Operating System - Get Solaris 10

Unix is an operating system developed in the late 60's. According to Wikipedia the initial release was 1969. It was originally completely written in C. I gave the link to unix.org in my first post in this thread, you can read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix

Linux is developed from Unix, officially it is categorized as Unix-like operating system. Geeks around the world wanted an open source, free OS and started to develope it on top of Unix in early 80's. Name Linux comes from the of Linus Torvalds, a Finn from my old alma mater University of Helsinki in Helsinki (10 later than I was there but still, yes I am proud to say that!), who coded the first Linux kernel.

More about Linux:
Linux - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Linux Home Page at Linux Online

Please do not misunderstand me now, but I think it would be better for you to join different Linux forums and ask Unix / Linux questions there. This is a Windows forums, our advice regarding Linux normally stops when you have installed your Linux on a Windows 7 virtual machine.

Two nice places to start:
http://www.linuxforums.org/
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/

Kari

 

[ArpitRaj]

thanks a lot