Editing LynxOS (section)

== History ==
The first versions of LynxOS were written in 1986 in [[Dallas, Texas]], by Mitchell Bunnell and targeted at a custom-built [[Motorola 68010]]-based computer. The first platform LynxOS ran on was an [[Atari ST|Atari 1040ST]] with cross development done on an Integrated Solutions UNIX machine. In 1988-1989, LynxOS was ported to the [[Intel 80386]] architecture. Around 1989, [[application binary interface]] (ABI) compatibility with [[UNIX System V]].3 was added. Compatibility with other operating systems, including Linux,{{Citation needed|date=May 2024|reason=There is no mention of Linux comparability in any of the referenced sources}} followed.

Full Memory Management Unit support has been included in the [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]] since 1989, for the reliability of protected memory and the performance advantages of virtual addresses. The [[PowerPC]] architecture is also supported, and in February 2015 Lynx announced planned support for the [[ARM architecture|ARM]] Cortex A-family.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lynx.com/lynx-software-technologies-announces-security-product-support-for-new-arm-based-iot-designs/ |title=LynxOS: POSIX Real Time Operating System |website=Lynx Software Technologies}}</ref>

LynxOS components are designed for absolute [[Deterministic automaton|determinism]] (hard real-time performance), which means that they respond within a known period of time. Predictable response times are ensured even in the presence of heavy [[input/output]] (I/O) due to the kernel's unique [[Thread (computing)|threading]] model, which allows [[interrupt]] routines to be very short and fast.

Lynx holds an expired patent on the technology that LynxOS uses to maintain hard real-time performance. {{US patent|5,469,571}} was granted to Lynx November 21, 1995: "Operating System Architecture using Multiple Priority Light Weight kernel Task-based Interrupt Handling."

In 2003, Lynx introduced a specialized version of LynxOS named LynxOS-178, especially for use in avionics applications that require certification to industry standards such as [[DO-178B]].

In late 2022, support for the programming language [[Rust (programming language)|Rust]] was added to the certified toolchain for LynxOS-178 and LynxElement unikernel.<ref>{{cite press release |last=Nelson |first=Kirsten |date=November 2, 2022 |url=https://www.lynx.com/press-releases/rust-compiler-support |title=Lynx Joins AdaCore and Ferrous Systems to Bring Rust to Embedded Developers |website=Lynx Software Technologies |location=San Jose, California}}</ref>

The [[Usenet]] newsgroup {{mono|comp.os.lynx}} is devoted to discussion of LynxOS.