# Amoeba

> distributed operation system for timesharing on a network, developed at the 'Vrije' University in Amsterdam

**Wikidata**: [Q473800](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q473800)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amoeba_(operating_system))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/amoeba

## Summary
Amoeba is a distributed operating system designed for timesharing on a network, developed at the Vrije University in Amsterdam. Created by computer scientist Andrew S. Tanenbaum in 1981, it enables multiple systems to operate together over a network. The software is distributed under the MIT License.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Distributed operating system designed for timesharing on a network.
- **Developer:** Andrew S. Tanenbaum, an American-Dutch computer scientist.
- **Inception:** Development began in 1981.
- **Institution:** Developed at the Vrije University in Amsterdam.
- **Latest Version:** Version 5.3, released on July 30, 1996.
- **License:** MIT License.
- **Official Resource:** Website and files hosted at `http://www.cs.vu.nl/pub/amoeba/`.
- **Aliases:** Also known as the Amoeba distributed operating system and Fast Local Internet Protocol.

## FAQs
### Q: Who created the Amoeba operating system?
A: Amoeba was developed by Andrew S. Tanenbaum, an American-Dutch computer scientist, at the Vrije University in Amsterdam.

### Q: What type of operating system is Amoeba?
A: It is a distributed operating system intended for timesharing across a network of computers, allowing multiple systems to function together.

### Q: When was Amoeba released?
A: The project inception was in 1981. A notable later release, version 5.3, was published on July 30, 1996.

## Why It Matters
Amoeba represents a significant academic effort in the field of distributed computing. Developed by Andrew S. Tanenbaum—a prominent figure in computer science education and operating system design—it served as a practical implementation of distributed system principles. By enabling timesharing across a network rather than on a single mainframe, Amoeba explored the architecture required for multiple machines to act as a unified system. This research contributed to the broader understanding of how operating systems manage resources across distributed environments. The project's availability under the MIT License and the preservation of its manuals (such as the Amoeba 5.3 Reference Manual) allow it to serve as a historical reference for the evolution of network operating systems.

## Notable For
- **Distributed Architecture:** Distinct from single-machine operating systems, it is designed specifically to operate on multiple systems over a network.
- **Academic Origin:** Developed at the Vrije University in Amsterdam by Andrew S. Tanenbaum, a renowned computer scientist and textbook author.
- **Longevity:** The project spanned from its inception in 1981 to at least its 5.3 release in 1996.
- **Open Licensing:** Released under the MIT License, facilitating study and distribution.

## Body
### Development and Creator
Amoeba was created by **Andrew S. Tanenbaum**, an American-Dutch computer scientist born on March 16, 1944. The development of the operating system took place at the **Vrije University in Amsterdam**. The project's **inception** dates back to **1981**. Tanenbaum is cited as the primary developer in the project's user documentation.

### Technical Specifications and Releases
The system is classified as a **distributed operating system**. It functions by managing timesharing across a network of computers.
- **Version History:** The system reached **version 5.3**, which was released on **July 30, 1996**.
- **License:** The software is governed by the **MIT License**.
- **Aliases:** The system is also referred to as the "Amoeba distributed operating system" and is associated with the **Fast Local Internet Protocol**.

### Documentation and Availability
Amoeba is distinct from the biological organism "Amoeba." The operating system has been documented extensively, including the *Amoeba 5.3 Reference Manual*. Digital archives and release information are hosted by the university at `ftp://ftp.cs.vu.nl/pub/amoeba/amoeba5.3/`. The project has a Microsoft Academic ID of 87847054 and a Freebase ID of `/m/028vkk`.

## References

1. [The Amoeba 5.3 Reference Manual](https://www.cs.vu.nl/pub/amoeba/manuals/usr.pdf)
2. [Source](http://www.cs.vu.nl/pub/amoeba/amoeba5.3/LICENCE)
3. [Amoeba FTP site](ftp://ftp.cs.vu.nl/pub/amoeba/amoeba5.3/)
4. [Release Information for Amoeba 5.3](https://www.cs.vu.nl/pub/amoeba/manuals/rel.pdf)
5. [Source](https://www.cs.vu.nl/pub/amoeba/manuals/usr.pdf)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Quora