# Xenix

> discontinued Unix version published by Microsoft

**Wikidata**: [Q589680](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q589680)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenix)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/xenix

## Summary
Xenix was a discontinued Unix-like operating system developed and published by Microsoft in the 1980s. It was based on UNIX System V and designed to run on various hardware platforms, including the IBM Personal Computer XT and Motorola 68000. Xenix was later succeeded by Xinuos OpenServer after its discontinuation in 1989.

## Key Facts
- Xenix was a Unix-like operating system developed by Microsoft and the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO).
- It was first released in 1980 and discontinued in 1989.
- Xenix was based on UNIX System V, a widely referenced Unix version.
- The operating system ran on platforms such as IBM Personal Computer XT, PDP-11, Motorola 68000, and Z8001.
- It was distributed on 5¼-inch floppy disks.
- Xenix was succeeded by Xinuos OpenServer, a closed-source version of Unix developed by Xinuos (formerly SCO).
- The system required Microsoft Pascal, an implementation of the Pascal programming language.
- Xenix was proprietary software with a copyrighted status.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Xenix?
A: Xenix was a Unix-like operating system developed by Microsoft and the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) in the 1980s. It was based on UNIX System V and designed to run on various hardware platforms.

### Q: When was Xenix released and discontinued?
A: Xenix was first released in 1980 and was discontinued in 1989.

### Q: What platforms did Xenix run on?
A: Xenix ran on platforms such as IBM Personal Computer XT, PDP-11, Motorola 68000, and Z8001.

### Q: What succeeded Xenix?
A: Xenix was succeeded by Xinuos OpenServer, a closed-source version of Unix developed by Xinuos (formerly SCO).

### Q: What was the distribution format of Xenix?
A: Xenix was distributed on 5¼-inch floppy disks.

## Why It Matters
Xenix played a significant role in the early development of Unix-like operating systems, particularly in bringing Unix functionality to personal computers and other hardware platforms. As one of Microsoft's early ventures into the Unix market, Xenix helped bridge the gap between proprietary and open-source operating systems. Its development and subsequent discontinuation also highlight the evolution of operating systems during the 1980s, a period marked by rapid technological advancements and competition among software companies. Xenix's legacy can be seen in the continued development of Unix-like systems, which remain fundamental to modern computing.

## Notable For
- Being one of Microsoft's early Unix-like operating systems.
- Running on a variety of hardware platforms, including IBM Personal Computer XT and Motorola 68000.
- Being based on UNIX System V, a widely referenced Unix version.
- Its distribution on 5¼-inch floppy disks, a common medium for software distribution at the time.
- Being succeeded by Xinuos OpenServer, which continued the development of Unix-like systems.

## Body
### Development and Release
Xenix was developed by Microsoft in collaboration with the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO). It was first released in 1980 and was based on UNIX System V, a widely referenced Unix version that served as the starting point for the first versions of POSIX and the Single UNIX Specification.

### Platforms and Requirements
Xenix was designed to run on various hardware platforms, including the IBM Personal Computer XT, PDP-11, Motorola 68000, and Z8001. It required Microsoft Pascal, an implementation of the Pascal programming language, for development and operation.

### Distribution and Discontinuation
Xenix was distributed on 5¼-inch floppy disks, a common medium for software distribution at the time. The operating system was discontinued in 1989 and was succeeded by Xinuos OpenServer, a closed-source version of Unix developed by Xinuos (formerly SCO).

### Technical Specifications
- **Based on:** UNIX System V
- **Platforms:** IBM Personal Computer XT, PDP-11, Motorola 68000, Z8001
- **Distribution Format:** 5¼-inch floppy disk
- **License:** Proprietary license
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted

### Legacy
Xenix's development and subsequent discontinuation highlight the evolution of operating systems during the 1980s. Its legacy can be seen in the continued development of Unix-like systems, which remain fundamental to modern computing.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
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  "description": "Discontinued Unix version published by Microsoft",
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora