amiga-bootcamp/00_overview/os_versions.md

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AmigaOS Version Matrix — 3.1 vs 3.2

Scope of this documentation: OS 3.1 (Kickstart 40.x, Workbench 40.x) and OS 3.2 (Kickstart 47.x, Workbench 47.x).

Kickstart Version Numbers

OS Version	Kickstart Ver	Exec Ver	Release	Primary Platform
OS 3.0	39.106	39.x	1992	A1200/A4000 launch
OS 3.1	40.068	40.x	1993	All AGA, final Commodore
OS 3.5	45.x	45.x	1999	Hyperion/H&P, WB-only
OS 3.9	45.x	45.x	2000	Hyperion/H&P, WB-only
OS 3.2	47.96+	47.x	2021	Hyperion, all 68k
OS 3.2.2	47.102	47.x	2022	Hyperion

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OS 3.1 Feature Summary (Kickstart 40.x)

This is the final OS release by Commodore before their 1994 bankruptcy. It ships with all production AGA machines (A1200, A4000) and upgrade ROMs for A500/A2000/A3000.

Exec (40.x):

• Stable SysBase layout (unchanged since 2.x in most respects)
• PoolAllocMem / PoolFreeMem — memory pools
• NewMinList() macro
• GetCC() — condition codes from last instruction

dos.library (40.x):

• ReadArgs() / FreeArgs() — template argument parsing
• CreateNewProc() — new process creation API
• DosGetLocalVar() / DosSetLocalVar() — local environment variables
• ChangeMode() — shared/exclusive lock upgrade
• SameLock() — lock identity comparison
• ExAll() — extended directory examination

graphics.library (40.x):

• AllocBitMap() / FreeBitMap() — dynamic bitmap allocation
• GetBitMapAttr() — bitmap attribute query
• ObtainBestPenA() — closest-match color allocation
• SetRPAttrsA() / GetRPAttrsA() — RastPort attribute tags
• AGA full color support: LoadRGB32(), 256 color tables
• RTG stubs present but not functional (RTG lives in 3.5+)

intuition.library (40.x):

• BOOPSI completely stable
• OpenWindowTagList() / OpenScreenTagList() — tag-based open calls
• GetScreenDrawInfo() / FreeScreenDrawInfo()
• LockPubScreen() / UnlockPubScreen()
• NewModifyProp() — proportional gadget update

locale.library (40.x):

• Complete locale/catalog system
• OpenCatalogA() / GetCatalogStr()

New in 3.1 vs 3.0:

• datatypes.library — class-based data-type system
• Multiview application (uses datatypes)
• asl.library — enhanced requesters vs req.library
• PCMCIA card resource (cardres)

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OS 3.2 Delta — What Changed (Kickstart 47.x)

OS 3.2 is a Hyperion-developed modernisation of the 3.1 codebase, first released in 2021.

Exec (47.x)

• AllocSysObject() / FreeSysObject() — unified object allocator
  • Replaces manual AllocMem + init for ports, tasks, IORequests, semaphores
• NewCreateTask() — extended task creation with tags
• IExec-> interface style (for future AOS4 parity — not mandatory on 68k)
• Improved memory tracking and debug support

dos.library (47.x)

• BPTR-free variants of many path functions
• Enhanced ReadArgs() template syntax
• Examine() extended: ExamineTags() returning ExamineData structs
• DOS path handling improvements (up to 1024-char paths)
• AddDosEntry() / RemDosEntry() refined

graphics.library (47.x)

• Compositing system (alpha blending between screens)
• CompositeTags() — hardware-assisted screen composition
• Improved RTG (RastPort to VRAM) support via cybergraphics.library integration points
• AllocSpriteDataA() extended for RTG sprites
• Palette handling improvements

intuition.library (47.x)

• New Intuition prefs (IPrefs 47.x)
• Better pen sharing and color management
• intuition.library opens before graphics.library in new boot sequence
• Visual prefs: themes, scaled UI elements

New Libraries in 3.2

Library	Purpose
disksonar.library	Fast disk scanning
application.library	Application registration, task-bar
timezone.library	Timezone database
identify.library	Hardware identification

AHI Changes (3.2)

• AHI (Audio Hardware Interface) integrated as standard component
• ahi.device replaces direct audio.device use in 3.2 applications

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Cross-Version API Compatibility Table

Function	3.1 (40)	3.2 (47)	Notes
AllocMem	✓	✓	Unchanged
AllocSysObject	✗	✓	New in 3.2
OpenLibrary	✓	✓	Unchanged
AllocBitMap	✓	✓	Extended in 3.2
CompositeTags	✗	✓	New in 3.2
ExamineTags	✗	✓	New in 3.2
CreateNewProc	✓	✓	Extended
NewCreateTask	✗	✓	New in 3.2
OpenCatalogA	✓	✓	Unchanged

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Version Detection in Code

/* Check for OS 3.2+ at runtime */
struct Library *SysBase = *((struct Library **)4);
if (SysBase->lib_Version >= 47) {
    /* OS 3.2 features available */
}

/* Check for OS 3.1+ */
if (SysBase->lib_Version >= 40) {
    /* AllocBitMap, datatypes etc available */
}

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References

• NDK 3.9: NDK39.lha — headers define version-gated macros
• ADCD 2.1: AmigaMail_Vol2_guide/ — release notes per OS version
• Hyperion OS 3.2 SDK: https://www.hyperion-entertainment.com/
• exec/execbase.h — AttnFlags bits for CPU detection