It incorporates the command interpreter COMMAND.COM. 22 orders It allows files with extension. Supports 16 KB of RAM, 5.25-inch single-sided 160 KB disks.
It had nine major versions and reached wide dissemination, but was gradually replaced by operating systems that offered a graphical user interface (GUI), in particular, by several generations of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Its development officially began in 1981 and was launched in 1982 as MS-DOS 1.0. MS-DOS was developed from QDOS, Quick and Dirty Operating System, also known as 86-DOS.
When PC clones appeared on the market in addition to the IBM PC, MS-DOS quickly became popular and Microsoft began its advance in the computer world. Microsoft did this under the name MS-DOS. However, the contract with IBM stated that Microsoft could also sell DOS independently to third parties. Microsoft adapted the system according to the wishes of IBM, that it sold under the name PC-DOS. The operating system he found was QDOS (a Quick and Dirty Operating System derived from CP/M, hence the 'D'), which Microsoft bought for the sum of $50,000 and then further developed it himself. Bill Gates decided not to start it himself, but went looking for a suitable product at other companies. A deal was concluded that Microsoft would write an operating system. However, when the company's own operating system did not run smoothly, IBM turned to Microsoft.
The BASIC - interpreter would by Microsoft of Bill Gates delivered. When IBM developed its IBM PC, they initially had their own operating system in mind. At this time, Microsoft bought the rights to QDOS, also known as 86-DOS, of Seattle Computer Products that was developed by Tim Paterson, and began working on the modifications to meet IBM's requirements. When tasked with Microsoft to produce an operating system for personal computers range of IBM PC of IBM. This was one of the first operating systems for personal computers. MS-DOS (stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System) was the member more popularly known family of operating systems DOS from Microsoft, and the main system for personal computers Compatible with IBM PC in the 1980s and mid 90s, until it was gradually replaced by operating systems that offered a graphical user interface, in particular by several generations of Microsoft Windows.