COPY.COM is in the CP/M 2.2 ROM but is missing from the CP/M 2.2 slice about romwbw

[wwarthen]

Hi @skullandbones,

I admit this is confusing and indeed COPY.COM could be included on the CP/M 2.2 slice. COPY.COM was developed as a Z-System tool. As with some Z-System tools, it will operate under plain CP/M.

The CP/M 2.2 slice is intended to include original (DRI) CP/M 2.2 applications and applications originally targeted for generic CP/M. COPY.COM is literally part of the ZSDOS distribution fileset and was therefore considered to be a Z-System specific application. I admit this is a very subtle difference. To be more succinct, there are many applications (like COPY.COM) that are part of the ZSDOS distribution and I have not tested all of them to determine which ones actually require Z-System.

The situation is made even more confusing because of the RomWBW ROM Disk. This ROM disk is the primary boot media for the ROM-based CP/M 2.2 and Z-System. As a result, the ROM Disk has an unfortunate mix of CP/M 2.2 and Z-System applications. This situation is documented in the User Guide.

I need to think about this a bit. It would not be hard to inventory and add the Z-System applications that work with generic CP/M to the CP/M 2.2 slice. However, I am worried that veteran users of these operating systems may find this just as disconcerting as you are finding it that COPY.COM is not included. I am aware that there has already been some bleeding of Z-System into the CP/M 2.2 slice (e.g., ZXD.COM). It may be more correct to remove stuff like ZXD.COM from CP/M 2.2 as opposed to adding any Z-System stuff that happens to work. Keep in mind there are 5 different bootable OS slices and each of them has it's own set of core distribution files. I don't want to get into a 5-way merge mess of the applications included with each operating system.

The evolution of these operating systems was that Z-System was considered an "enhanced" CP/M 2.2. As such, you will find most of the CP/M 2.2 applications in the Z-System slice, but (as you point out), not the other way around. As you find yourself wanting to use the Z-System applications, I suggest you move to the Z-System operating system proper. Even those Z-System applications that will run on CP/M 2.2 typically have more features available when run under Z-System.

Thanks,

Wayne

[skullandbones]

@wwarthen thanks for the information.

I understand the concept of having a pure CP/M 2.2 OS installation and not tainting it with programs from other OSes. But you have said, that the CP/M 2.2 slice is already tainted and not pure.

In modern times, OSes are customised on installation. Linux installations, can be restricted to only installing Open Source software for the purists and there can be options to install 3rd party software that taints the system.

So perhaps the CP/M 2.2 slice is neither satisfying the purists or the practical user that wants some useful enhancements.

I was expecting the CP/M 2.2 slice to be purely CP/M 2.2 files.

So far, I have given up on ED.COM and PIP.COM.

Maybe you could create an additional slice of CP/M 2.2 + enhancements for practical people wanting to use CP/M 2.2 ?

On the other hand, I have already customised my CP/M 2.2 slice to contain my hacked TE.COM so maybe I can add COPY.COM into my build.

I am resisting switching to Z-System because I am wanting to get to know the limitations of CP/M 2.2. Also, I have other systems running CP/M 2.2.

Thanks,

Dean

[wwarthen]

Hi @skullandbones,

I will review the CP/M 2.2 slice contents at some point, but that will probably not be in the near future. I have a long list of work and it is hard to make this a high priority based on current user feedback.

I'm glad to hear you have customized your CP/M 2.2 slice. That is exactly what I was going to recommend. My assumption has always been that I will never get the standard slice contents to meet the needs of all users. So, I have done my best to make it possible to create your own slices, either on your RomWBW system or as part of the build process.

Thanks,

Wayne

[wwarthen]

Closing this issue due to lack of activity. I don't think there is any specific action required at this time.