Palm OS

Palm OS [ pɑ ː m əʊɛs ] was the operating system for the Palm organizer of the series ( see PDA ) and smartphones.

The devices were first only by the company Palm, which also developed the operating system produced. Later, the two areas but on the subsidiary PalmSource (software) and PalmOne were divided (hardware). In 2005, the company bought back the rights to the PalmOne old name and renamed itself back into Palm. Even Sony, Handspring, Garmin, symbol and other manufacturers licensed the Palm OS and put it into their devices. Meanwhile, Sony has, however, adopted by the PDA market and Handspring was acquired by Palm, so it is actually hardly any devices with Palm OS from other manufacturers and Palm itself.

In 2005 was bought Palm OS developer PalmSource by the Japanese company Access. Meanwhile, Access has a Linux-based successor operating system, which is Access Linux Platform also compatible with Palm OS, developed. The classic Palm OS under the name Garnet OS weitervermarktet simultaneously (currently in version 5.4).

According to media reports, the company Palm is said to have set too high competitive pressure 2009 self development for PalmOS due. However, the first versions of webOS on an emulation layer (Motion Apps Classic) also supported software for Palm OS. In the current version of webOS, the emulation was not continued.

Versions

Both devices have a color display, the Zire 31 with 160 × 160 pixels and the Zire 72 with 320 × 320 pixels.

Operation

All Palm devices have a resistivenTouchscreen. To enter data at the Palm OS a kind of handwriting on letter -based graffiti is called, used. Two printed rectangular areas are in the lower part of the display used: Left for letters and digits on the right, some subdivided into upper and lower case letters. New Palm models can hide this area (Virtual Graffiti / Dynamic Input Area, DIA), and thereby the display surface vergrößern.Die Treo smartphone models have a hardware keyboard.

The data is entered with a pen as a single character, but there are also software-assisted Handwriting for whole words. Optionally, there is still an on-screen keyboard. For longer entries are also external keyboards available (from mobile phone to PC keyboard size) that can be connected via cable, infrared or Bluetooth. The Treo series has a full QWERTY, QWERTY or AZERTY keyboard on the device that can be operated with the thumb.

Down by the housing are four additional buttons. In order for the Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Notes are started by default. In between is a kind of rocker switch mounted which can be scrolled with the within applications. With the newer devices manufactured by Palm, there is a 5 - way navigation key, with which you can access a lot of information without the stylus.

Databases

Data is not stored in the Palm OS as in desktop operating systems in folders and files, but in so-called databases. They are all on the same level in the RAM memory. If these databases are transferred to the PC, they have the endings. prc ( Palm resource, typically used for applications ) or. pdb ( Palm Database, typically used for data). So there are two different types of databases in Palm OS: Resource databases and record databases. The header of a database provides information on the type and creator, and the date of installation, date last modified, and last backup.

All databases are stored in the storage heap. This area was previously mapped physically in RAM at the default applications in ROM. Use current models at this point partially non- volatile flash memory.

Resource databases

The header is here mostly as a type or type appl ovly entered. In them, the programs of Palm OS are stored in the form of resources. These include, for example, code, bitmaps, menus, forms, alerts.

The header field contains creator for each application a globally unique string ( 4 characters long), which is also the link to the record of the application databases, so that, for example, the data can be automatically deleted by the application. This four -character creator IDs are assigned and managed centrally by Palm and developers can at any time request additional free Creator IDs.

Record Databases

They are usually of type DATA or, depending on the application, from a user-specified type. In them, the data of the applications are stored in records.

Communication

The older versions of Palm OS only communicate via a serial interface with up to 115200 bit / s This is (eg keyboards ) mainly used for synchronization by means Hotsync or for the attachment of accessories. Newer devices support communication via a USB interface.

For data transfer from Palm to palm the infrared interface according to the IrDA standard is best suited. The Palm can also communicate with the infrared interface of a mobile phone to send SMS for example. For this purpose, but you need special programs on the Palm.

With suitable peripheral devices such as modems ( any modem can be controlled via the serial interface ) or mobile phones can also access to the Palm to the Internet and read emails or surf the web ( appropriate programs such as Palm Web browser and Palm VersaMail provided ).

The devices ( Tungsten T5, T | X, Zire 72, Treo all models and LifeDrive ) and the Tungsten T, T2, T3 and Zire 72 radio via Bluetooth. The Tungsten C and the LifeDrive and T | X so become a link in WLANs (IEEE 802.11b). The Treo smartphone models also communicate via GSM, GPRS and Edge ( Centro).

Backup

The backup is done via the handheld HotSync with a Windows PC, Macintosh or Linux computer. To this end, the device is placed in its docking station or connected to the HotSync cable and press the HotSync button. The databases from handheld and PC are synchronized, ie it is compared to each entry in the palm with the desktop software on the PC ( Palm Desktop or other PIM programs ) and updated when necessary. Thus, it is also possible to change the data on the PC. New programs are installed on the handheld during this process.

Since then, Palm OS supports additional memory cards, the possibility of a data backup on such a map is given. The advantage over HotSync is that this can also take place on the road, so you are not tied to a computer.

Programming Tools & IDEs

• AppForge
• CASL
• Free Pascal (in development)
• Handheld Basic (HB )
• HotPaw Basic
• HSPascal
• LispMe
• Lyme ( programming language for mathematics)
• Metrowerks CodeWarrior
• NS Basic
• OnBoardC
• OrbForms designer
• Palm OS Developer Suite ( PODS )
• PalmOS Pascal ( Pascal compiler that runs directly on PalmOS)
• Palmphi ( relatively new, free IDE uses gcc for Palm OS advance)
• PocketC
• Pocket Studio
• Prc -tool (GCC for Palm OS)
• Small Basic

Software

For Palm OS there are well over 10,000 applications (E -Books, Office, games, tools, dictionaries, etc.) of several thousand independent software developers (Independent Software Vendor ) worldwide. The Palm devices are shipped with Palm Desktop as a Personal Information Manager for the desktop.