Digital Research employees
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software |
| Predecessor | Microcomputer Applications Associates (MAA) |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | Gary Kildall |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Fate | Acquired by Novell |
| Successor | Novell Digital Research Systems Group |
| Headquarters | Monterey , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Gary Kildall |
| Products | CP/M, MP/M, Concurrent DOS, FlexOS, Multiuser DOS, DOS Plus, DR DOS, GEM |
| Parent | Novell (from 1991) |
Digital Research, Inc. (commonly known as DR or DRI) was a private American software enterprise established by Gary Kildall with the purpose of developing and distributing his CP/M operating system alongside related systems for 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit platforms, including MP/M, Concurrent DOS, FlexOS, Multiuser DOS, DOS Plus, DR DOS, and the GEM. It holds the distinction of being the pioneering major software company within the microcomputer sector. Initially based in Pacific Grove, California, Digital Research later relocated its headquarters to Monterey, California.
1974–1979: Establishment and incorporation
In 1972, Gary Kildall, then teaching at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, began providing consulting services to Intel under the business name Microcomputer Applications Associates (MAA). By 1974, he had created Control Program/Monitor (CP/M), recognized as the first disk operating system designed for microcomputers.
That same year, he formally incorporated the company as Intergalactic Digital Research, a name soon shortened to Digital Research, with his wife overseeing business management. Their operating systems, beginning with CP/M tailored for 8080 and Z80 microprocessors, quickly became the industry's standard. The portfolio included 8-bit CP/M and its derivatives such as MP/M (introduced in 1979), a multi-user multitasking variant.
1980–1990: CP/M evolution and competition with MS-DOS
Following Microsoft's introduction of MS-DOS, which was inspired by CP/M principles, Digital Research responded in 1981 by releasing CP/M-86, a 16-bit version designed for the IBM PC debuting in early 1982. Later iterations featured multitasking capabilities like those in MP/M-86 and Concurrent CP/M, which allowed simultaneous application execution via virtual consoles. However, Digital Research's manuals were often criticized for lacking clarity and user-friendliness.
By 1983, Digital Research had broadened its retail distribution and launched PC DOS-compatible versions of its programming languages and utility software. That year, with revenues reaching $45 million, it ranked as the fourth-largest microcomputer software company. Although it lost significant ground in the 8088 processor market, Digital Research sought to compete on newer platforms such as the Intel 80286 and Motorola 68000 processors. Collaborations with AT&T Corporation aimed at developing software for Unix System V and expanding retail channels furthered these efforts.
The company also provided an extensive array of programming language tools including compilers and interpreters for C, Pascal, COBOL, FORTRAN, PL/I, PL/M, CBASIC, BASIC, and Logo.
During IBM PC development phases, CP/M was the dominant operating system considered. IBM approached Digital Research in 1980 to develop a CP/M version for the Intel 8086 processor to serve as the PC's standard OS. However, Digital Research declined due to disagreeable contract terms. Microsoft capitalized on this by supplying MS-DOS—derived from an acquired product called 86-DOS—alongside other essential software for IBM PCs launched in late 1981. By mid-1982, MS-DOS had been licensed for use on non-IBM compatible machines as well, establishing Microsoft’s prominence in software provision.
The rivalry between MS-DOS and Digital Research’s subsequent MS-DOS-compatible product line, notably DR DOS, is a significant chapter in computing history. Microsoft’s licensing tactics tied MS-DOS sales to hardware purchases, effectively discouraging hardware manufacturers from adopting competing systems like DR DOS. This anti-competitive approach led to a U.S. Department of Justice investigation and a legal ruling in 1994 against Microsoft's "per-processor" licensing agreements.
Beginning in 1983, Digital Research enhanced its Concurrent CP/M series by incorporating MS-DOS API emulation alongside FAT file system compatibility. These updated versions were rebranded as Concurrent DOS (released in 1984) and later as Concurrent PC DOS, tailored specifically for IBM PC-compatible computers.
With the launch of the Intel 80286-based IBM PC/AT, Digital Research introduced a real-time operating system called Concurrent DOS 286. Other single-user offerings included DOS Plus (1985) and DR DOS (1988), both marketed as superior replacements for MS-DOS featuring advanced capabilities. To achieve full DOS compatibility, DR DOS abandoned native CP/M support but emerged as a successful product line on its own merits.
Graphics Environment Manager (1985)
In 1985, Digital Research introduced GSX, a microcomputer adaptation of the GKS graphics standard, which served as the core technology for their GEM GUI. Their software lineup was relatively modest, primarily consisting of the GSX-based DR DRAW and a limited collection of GEM GUI applications. GEM was released prior to Microsoft's debut of Windows 1.0.
Later, Digital Research and its successor Caldera accused Microsoft of employing vaporware announcements related to MS-DOS as a tactic to hinder DR DOS sales.
FlexOS, Concurrent DOS XM and Concurrent DOS 386
The modular FlexOS (1986) evolved from Concurrent PC DOS, utilizing advanced CPU memory addressing capabilities to create a versatile multitasking platform. It offered comprehensive system APIs supporting both synchronous and asynchronous operations, included pipe mechanisms, and allowed environment variable aliases for named resource management. FlexOS found particular success within point-of-sale environments.
Its successors were Concurrent DOS XM (1986) and the 32-bit Concurrent DOS 386 (1987).
1990 and 1991: Multiuser DOS
In 1991, Digital Research expanded its multi-user operating system lineup by releasing Multiuser DOS, building upon its earlier single-user systems.
During the beta phase of Windows 3.1, Microsoft incorporated concealed code known as the AARD code that identified DR DOS installations and triggered obscure error notifications.
1991–2014: Acquisition by Novell
In 1991, Digital Research was purchased by Novell for million dollars, mainly to acquire their operating system assets including FlexOS. FlexOS had been implemented as the underlying platform for various systems such as Siemens S5-DOS/MT, IBM 4680 OS, and IBM 4690 OS.
Notable employees
Several prominent individuals from Digital Research later made influential contributions to the IT sector, including:
Acquisitions
- Compiler Systems, Inc. (1981), known for developing CBASIC
- MT MicroSYSTEMS, Inc. (1981), creators of Pascal/MT+
See also
- Multiuser DOS Federation
- Novell Digital Research Systems Group
- Caldera Digital Research Systems Group
Further reading
- (Marc Perkel reportedly inspired Novell in 1991 to acquire Digital Research and initiate "NovOS".)
- (18 pages)
External links
- Digital Research
- 1972 establishments in California
- 1991 disestablishments in California
- American companies established in 1972
- Companies based in Monterey County, California
- Defunct computer companies based in California
- Defunct software companies of the United States
- Novell
- Point of sale companies
- Software companies disestablished in 1991
- Software companies established in 1972
- 1991 mergers and acquisitions
- Digital Research employees