Editing A/UX (section)

==Features==
A/UX has a [[graphical user interface]] (GUI) including the familiar [[Finder (software)|Finder]] windows, menus, and controls. The A/UX Finder is a customized version of the [[System 7]] Finder, adapted to run as a Unix [[Process (computing)|process]] and to interact with the underlying Unix [[file system]]s. CommandShell is a GUI for the underlying Unix [[command-line interface]]. An [[X Window System]] server (called [[MacX]]) with a terminal program can interface with the system and run X applications alongside Finder. Alternatively, a fullscreen X11R4 session can run without Finder.<ref name="InfoWorld August 1992"/>

Apple's [[compatibility layer]] allows A/UX to run applications for [[Classic Mac OS|Macintosh System]] 7.0.1, Unix, and hybrids of both. For example, a Macintosh application can call Unix system functions, or a Unix application can call [[Macintosh Toolbox]] functions (such as [[QuickDraw]]), or a [[HyperCard]] stack can be a graphical frontend for a command-line Unix application. A/UX's compatibility layer uses some existing Toolbox functions in the computer's [[Read-only memory|ROM]], and other function calls are translated into native Unix [[system call]]s; and it cooperatively multitasks all Macintosh apps in a single address space by using a token-passing system for their access to the Toolbox.<ref name="Macintosh Hybrid">{{cite magazine | title=Macintosh Hybrid Applications for A/UX | magazine=MacTech | first=John | last=Morley | url=http://www.mactech.com/articles/develop/issue_08/064-078_Morley.html | access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>

The Commando utility assists users with entering [[Unix commands]], resembling the one in [[Macintosh Programmer's Workshop]]. Opening a Unix [[executable]] file from Finder opens a [[dialog box]] that allows the user to choose [[Command line interface|command-line]] options for the program using standard controls such as [[radio button]]s and [[check box]]es, and display the resulting command line [[Parameter (computer science)|argument]] for the user before executing the command or program. This feature is intended to ease the [[Experience curve effects|learning curve]] for users new to Unix, and decrease the user's reliance on the [[Unix manual]]. A/UX has a utility that allows the user to reformat third-party SCSI drives in such a way that they can be used in other Macs of that era.<ref name="InfoWorld August 1992"/>

A/UX requires select models<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/TA31173?viewlocale=en_US |title=A/UX and Compatible Macintoshes |publisher=Apple, Inc.|date=August 1994 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731191716/https://support.apple.com/kb/TA31173?locale=de_AT&viewlocale=en_US |archive-date=July 31, 2020}}</ref> of [[Motorola 68000 series|68k]]-based Macintoshes with a floating point unit (FPU) and a paged memory management unit (PMMU),<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kernelthread.com/publications/appleoshistory/4.html |title=Many Systems for Many Apples |first=Amit |last=Singh |publisher=Kernel Thread |date=February 2004 |access-date=December 12, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221093510/http://www.kernelthread.com/publications/appleoshistory/4.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>