PY-DOS-on-ESP32 v 1.0.5

PY-DOS on ESP32 is a lightweight command-line OS ported to MicroPython. It runs on resource-limited ESP32 boards and provides a simple DOS-like experience via a serial terminal.

Developed from scratch by Ege
Licensed under the MIT License

Version Plan:

• One more update will be released for this repository within this month. This update marks the transition from a simple PY-DOS simulator to a fully working PY-DOS for ESP32.
• After version 1.0.5 (this repository is currently at 1.0.4, as it continues from PY-DOS 1.0.3), development will move to a new repository:
  Espy32
• In that repository, PY-DOS will evolve into a complete operating system for ESP32, written entirely in Python, capable of running Python scripts natively, and no longer a simulator.

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Features

• Editor app: Type Python scripts and more.
• RUN command: Still exists, but now runs Python scripts instead of PY-DOS original commands.
• Added dead screen.
• Disk and ram.py do not simulate!
  • Disk connects to the flash/SD card via boot.py.
  • RAM stores data in variables, which are actually kept in the real RAM.

Original PY-DOS commands are still available:

• DIR – List files and directories
• TREE – Display directory tree
• TYPE – Show file content
• DEL – Delete a file from RAM and Disk
• RENAME – Rename a file
• COPY – Copy a file
• MKDIR – Create a new directory
• CD / CCD – Change current directory
• RUN – Run a script or application
• PRINT – Print text to screen
• HELP – Display all available commands
• EXIT – Exit PY-DOS

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What's New

• edit is now a separate program; it is not tied to espinit.
• disk.py and ram.py have been replaced by hal.py.
• drivers.py and startup.py may seem useless for now but will be useful in the future.
• Warning: Make sure to load all files! Otherwise, the blue LED will blink, and the missing file name will appear under Kernel panic! on the serial port.
• And many more improvements I might have forgotten...

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How to Install

Copy these files to the ESP32's flash: ram.py, disk.py, boot.py, then reset the ESP32.

Note: Using Thonny is not recommended as it can sometimes cause instability issues like this error:

• wait until it completes current work;
• use Ctrl+C to interrupt current work;
• reset the device and try again;
• check connection properties;
• make sure the device has suitable MicroPython / CircuitPython / firmware;
• make sure the device is not in bootloader mode.

However, if you don't want to use PuTTY and prefer Thonny, you should disable these options in Thonny to reduce errors:
Tools → Options → Interpreter →

• Uncheck "Use local time in real-time clock"
• Uncheck "Synchronize device's real-time clock"

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All Commands

To see the full list of available commands, simply type help into the command line.

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Future Plans

• SD card support
• Possibly TFT screen support
• Separate the kernel from the bootloader
• Implement a proper filesystem

⚠️ As far as public sources and existing projects show, no other ESP32 project offers a Python-based, fully interactive DOS-like operating system like PY-DOS. This makes it a first-of-its-kind project in the ESP32 ecosystem.