Symmetric multiprocessing

The BeOS is optimized for a mutliprocessor environment, supporting 2, 4 or more processors using a symmetric multiprocessing architecture.

Pervasive multithreading

The entire OS is heavily multithreaded and applications are expected to be heavily threaded themselves. This allows for smoother task switching, and better performance on single and multiple CPU systems.

Preemptive multitasking

Supports true preemptive multitasking, resulting in faster task switching and better overall performance.

Virtual memory

Extends memory by swapping less used code to disk. Integrated with the multitasking and multithreading functionality.

Protected memory

Protected memory ensures that a single misbehaving applications cannot crash the overall system, providing better overall stability.

Client-server internal architecture

The client-server model increases performance and reliability and allows operations to be multithreaded - even if an application doesn't explicitly create threads. Servers are modular and can be added and/or replaced in the OS as capabilities are expanded and improved.

64-bit file system

 64-bit based file system allows for extremely large files - of terabyte size and larger - and volumes. Native 64-bit support simplifies programming and increases performance.

Multithreaded

The Be File System is entirely multithreaded, spreading processing over any number of processors.

Journaling

Journaling keeps constant track of changes in the file system, and speeds recover from conditions such as power loss. File system is always in a consistant state, and provides maximum boot time of a few seconds.

Integrated Attributes & Indexing

The Be File System maintains file attributes and indexes which can be used by applications as the foundation for databases.

MIME-type based identification

MIME-type identification provides a generalized approach to file identification and association with applications, and ensures a high degree of Internet-data identification and compatibility.

External file system support

The Be File System can also host external, foreign file systems such as HFS (MacOS), DOS, NFS and others. This capability is modular and can be added to by third parties.

Multithreaded, client-server architecture

The BeOS graphics system is handled in a client-server architecture, permitting a highly multithreaded approach and sharing of tasks between processors.

Direct access graphics

The Game Kit provides direct access to the frame buffers in a protected manner for applications with specialized graphics algorithms and needs.

Extensive 2D library

An extensive, floating-point based, 2D library is provided in the Interface Kit.

Antialiased fonts

Outline fonts are standard in the system, with anti-aliasing capabilities turned on as a default, proving with smooth text appearance on screen, as well as on paper.

OpenGL3D

Industry standard high-resolution 3D graphics and rendering is provided via the OpenGL library.

Modular Capabilities

Graphics capabilities are modular, and can be added to and modified through an flexible driver architecture.

Multithreaded

I/O drivers in the BeOS are multithreaded, allowing for the distribution of I/O tasks across processors, and faster response on uniprocessor systems.

Modular, dynamically loaded

I/O drivers are dynamically loaded as needed, and the architecture is modular allowing developers to add new capabilities.

Object oriented design

The foundation level services are based on C and C++ in an object-oriented design, allowing for subclassing and code reuse throughout the system

"Simplicity" design criteria

Overall, the design of the foundation services is guided by a rule of "simplicity", maintaining a small set of powerful objects rather than a myriad of objects and complexity.

TCP/IP Native

BeOS netwroking capabilites are based upon TCP/IP, the native protocols of the Internet.

Integrated File Server

File serving capabilities, based on the Internet FTP protocols, are built into the system, allowing you to share files with people on BeOS, MacOS, Windows, Unix or any other system connected to the Internet.

Integrated Web Server

Basic web serving capabilites are integrated in the BeOS, allowing you to publish pages from the first day. These capabilities are modular and can be replaced by more powerful third party services.

Integrated Web Client

NetPositive, a BeOS native web browser, is integrated, and makes use of the interapplication communication capabilities and Replicator technology.

Integrated Mail Capabilities

Internet mail client services are integrated into the system. These capabilites are modular and can be added onto or replaced by third party developers.

Remote Access Capabilities

Internet standard Telnet capabilities are integrated into the BeOS, allowing you to access your system from anywhere on the Internet.

AppleTalk Printing Support

The BeOS supports printing to AppleTalk based printers over standard Ethernet networks, allowing access to standard AppleTalk laser printers. The BeOS also supports TCP/IP based printers.

Format Translation Services

Integrated into the BeOS is a datatypes library capability, allowing applications access to translation capabilties for file formats, data formats, and even media formats such as QuickTime or MPEG movie data and audio data.

Audio Services

The BeOS has an extensive set of audio services, provided by an integrated audio server which is multithreaded and multiprocessor aware.

MIDI Services

MIDI services are integrated through the MIDI Kit, including software MIDI synthesis of instruments and other sound samples.

Messaging and Scripting

The BeOS has an extensive messaging architecture allowing applications to send messages to each other - and allowing any part of an application to message any part of another application or process. This messaging provides the basis for scripting capabilities. Facilities for distributed messages over the network also exist.

BeOS Replicator Services

Replicator services provide a way for active data and code of one application to be "replicated" and stored within another application, document, or even the BeOS document. These replicants are fully active and can be manipulated just as they were part of the original application or document.

MIME type identification

Application messages and data are passed using the Internet standard MIME typing system.

Integrated Unicode

The BeOS implements Unicode throughout the system, permiting the use of multibyte languages, and serving as the basis for new localization capabilities. The format used is UTF-8, the format also implemented by the Java language.

Unicode Font Support

Unicode fonts are supported throughout the system.

Unicode-based Text Utilities

Serveral utilities, including FontDisplay and Keymap, provide useful tools for managing in a multibyte character environment. BTextView, the basic text class within the BeOS, is also Unicode aware.

Posix Compatibility

The BeOS has a fully functional Posix integration layer, allowing a wide range of Posix compatible code to be compiled and run-as is, including the GNU library of commands, many of which are included with the BeOS CD.

Unix Capabilities and bash shell

Unix command line capabilities are also provided as an alternative interface and method of manipulating the system, including scripting and Borne-Again (bash) shell support. These capabilities can be accessed remoted via Telnet (see Internet support.)

Tracker Interface

The desktop interface of the BeOS is provides by the BeOS Tracker, a powerful library of functions that provide services to the user, as well as to applications directly. This includes the TrackBar, desktop, access to HFS and other external file system volumes, and more.

Print Services

Print services are integrated within the BeOS Interface Kits, and provide background printing services (through the multithreaded Print Server), Postscript and direct printing, and more.

Extensive Preferences

The BeOS has an extensive set of preferences, allowing for the customization of virtually every aspect of the system.

Object-Oriented Framework

The application level services of the BeOS are based on an object-oriented application framework, rather than an remedial procedural design. This simplifies the overall architecture, speeds programming, and allows for extensive reuse of code and subclassing.

Modular Software Design

Software designed for the BeOS generally falls into four categories: Applications (graphical or command-line), shared libraries, add-on components (plug-ins), and device drivers.

Native Metrowerks CodeWarrior IDE

The CodeWarrior IDE is native for the BeOS and makes use of BeOS features - such as a fully multithreaded IDE and concurrent compilation on multiple processors.

Debugging Capabilities

CodeWarrior also provides extensive low-level and source-level debugging capabilities.

Bundled CodeWarrior Lite

The CodeWarrior Lite is bundled with the BeOS and is able to build executables and libraries up to 64k in size. The unlimited, complete version of CodeWarrior is available from Metrowerks.

Java Runtime

Java Language Support

Java IDE Support

Bundled with CodeWarrior Lite (included on the BeOS CD) is the Java runtime library, allowing for the execution of Java applets.

The Java langauge and compilation is fully supported within the CodeWarrior environment.

BeOS Architecture

The BeOS architecture is made up of three layers:

- Microkernel and device drivers
- BeOS servers
- BeOS software kits