In this follow-up video, Cameron Nelson aka thebadspy, offers a hands-on demonstration of CX16OS multitasking using a new utility called SwapTerm. Built for the Commander X16 platform, CX16OS continues to evolve as a Unix-style operating system with features rarely seen on 8-bit machines. This short but dense demo adds even more functionality to the mix.
SwapTerm lets users toggle between multiple shell environments, allowing live editing, compiling, and execution of code in separate terminal sessions. This kind of CX16OS multitasking mirrors modern tools like tmux, but reimagined for 8-bit constraints. Though screen real estate is limited, up to four independent terminal contexts can be created and switched through seamlessly.
Interactive Shells and Parallel Processes
Cameron showcases how SwapTerm allows for the spawning of child processes and shells. By launching spawn.sh, he reveals how CX16OS now supports independently running programs with different process IDs—all visible via the ps command. Each shell operates in its own context, demonstrating true multitasking under this retro-inspired operating system.
What’s more, Cameron edits a demo source file in one shell, compiles it, and runs it in another—all without closing or interrupting either task. This illustrates how developers can now test and debug code across shells—simulating a modern development workflow within CX16OS.
Built-in Limitations, Useful Results
While SwapTerm isn’t perfect—it introduces some lag when multiple programs print simultaneously—it’s a practical leap forward. Output is funneled through redirected standard I/O, handled smartly by the underlying shell manager. Cameron also hints at SplitTerm, an early tool that attempts vertical screen splitting, albeit less stable than SwapTerm.
For anyone developing under CX16OS or curious about how far an 8-bit platform can stretch, this video is worth watching. It’s a concise and clever look into what’s possible when modern OS design meets vintage hardware.
