MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) is a command-line-based operating system that was widely used in personal computers, particularly in the 1980s and early 1990s. Developed by Microsoft for IBM PCs and compatible systems, MS-DOS became the foundation for Microsoft's early success in the operating system market.
Initially released in 1981, MS-DOS provided a simple, text-based interface where users typed commands to interact with the computer, such as managing files, running applications, and configuring hardware. It was based on QDOS (Quick and Dirty Operating System), which Microsoft bought and adapted for IBM. Over time, MS-DOS evolved through several versions, adding new features and capabilities, but it retained its text-driven interface.
Although it has been largely replaced by graphical operating systems like Windows, MS-DOS played a significant role in the history of personal computing and remains influential. Certain DOS commands and conventions are still recognizable in modern operating systems, and MS-DOS can still be used in command-line environments within Windows. Additionally, it continues to be used in some embedded systems and niche computing applications due to its simplicity and low resource requirements.