The MS-DOS Device Services Interface
Abstract
Many vendors produce high-performance, low-cost training hardware, but bundle their products with proprietary software interfaces. Because these interfaces are proprietary, courseware and authoring systems written to operate on one set of hardware will not run on a competitor's hardware. Expensive reprogramming is needed to adapt to new hardware. These reprogramming costs can be eliminated by adopting standard software interfaces. The objectives of this effort were to describe and develop a standard software interface that will allow training systems to be assembled from separate 'plug-and-play' components in the same way that stereo systems can be assembled from separate speakers, amplifiers, and other components. The Portable Courseware (PORTCO) architecture consists of two interfaces, the Device Services Interface and the Device Handler Interface. It also contains three layers: application, routing and configuration, and the device handler. This architecture should allow applications software to run on any compliant set of hardware components. The series of reports describing the PORTCO architecture should direct development of portable MS-DOS applications and standard peripheral device handlers. This report describes the MS-DOS Device Services Interface, and is intended primarily for programmers who want to develop portable application software. Keywords: Courseware portability, Computer-based training, Interactive courseware, Virtual device interface.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA223902
Entities
People
- Brian Thomason
- Brian Van De Wetering