{{Short description|Discontinued mainframe/minicomputer operating system}} {{Infobox OS | name = MPE, MPE XL, MPE/iX<!-- Name of program or distribution --> | logo = <!-- filename only (no wikilink, no Image:/File:) --> | logo caption = | logo size = | logo alt = | screenshot = <!-- filename only (no wikilink, no Image:/File:) --> | caption = | screenshot_size = | screenshot_alt = | collapsible = | version of = <!-- For articles about releases of operating systems ONLY --> | developer = Hewlett-Packard<!-- Name of main developer or sponsor--> | family = <!-- "Unix-like" or "Microsoft Windows" --> | working state = Discontinued<!-- "Current", "Discontinued" (operating systems), or "No longer supported" (releases) --> | source model = <!-- "Open source", "Closed source", or "Shared source" --> | released = {{Start date and age|1974}} | discontinued = <!-- DON'T use this for articles about releases of operating systems --> | RTM date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} ONLY for articles about OS releases --> | GA date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} ONLY for articles about OS releases --> | latest release version = 7.5 | latest release date = {{Start date and age|2002|8}} | latest preview version = | latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} --> | marketing target = | programmed in = System Programming Language, HP Pascal, Assembly language | language = <!-- Supported human languages (English, French, Italian, Arabic, ...) --> | update model = <!-- APT, Windows Update, etc. --> | package manager = <!-- dpkg, rpm, Windows installer, etc. --> | supported platforms = HP 3000<!-- IA-32, x64, Itanium, ARM, etc. --> | kernel type = <!-- Hybrid, Monolithic, Microkernel, Exokernel, Nanokernel, etc. --> | userland = | ui = Command-line interface | license = Proprietary | preceded by = | succeeded by = | website = {{web archive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312092253/http://www.hp.com/products1/evolution/e3000/mpeix/|title=MPE/iX at hp.com}} | support status = <!-- For articles about releases of operating systems ONLY --> | other articles = | prog_language = }} '''MPE''' ('''Multi-Programming Executive''') is a discontinued business-oriented mainframe computer real-time operating system developed by Hewlett-Packard for their HP 3000 computers. While the HP 3000s were initially mini-mainframes, the final high-end systems supported 12 CPUs and over 2000 simultaneous users.
== Description == It runs on the HP 3000 family of computers, which originally used HP custom 16-bit stack architecture CISC CPUs and were later migrated to PA-RISC where the operating system was called '''MPE XL'''.<ref>{{cite book |title=COMMUNICATOR 3000/XL Release 1.0 (A.02.00) |publisher=Hewlett-Packard |location= |date=April 1988 |id=5958-3183 |edition=R2815 |url=http://www.3kranger.com/HP3000/mpeix/doc3k/BCOMM3000.10028/19.htm |quote=Introduction to MPE XL for MPE V Systems Administrator 30367-60001 }}</ref>
In 1983, the original version of MPE was written in a language called SPL (Systems Programming Language). MPE XL was written primarily in Pascal, with some assembly language and some of the old SPL code.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}
In 1992, the OS name was changed to '''MPE/iX''' to indicate Unix interoperability with the addition of POSIX compatibility.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=MPE/iX Release 4.0 (B.40.00) Overview |chapter-url=http://www.3kranger.com/HP3000/mpeix/doc3k/B3021690104.11968/3.htm |title=MPE/iX RELEASE 4.0 (Core Software Release B.40.00) |publisher=Hewlett-Packard |date=1992-06-01 |id=30216-90104 |series=COMMUNICATOR 3000 MPE }}</ref> The discontinuance of the product line was announced in late 2001, with support from HP terminating at the end of 2010. A number of 3rd party companies still support both the hardware and software.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}
In 2002, HP released the last version MPE/iX 7.5.<ref>[http://www.hpmuseum.net/exhibit.php?swc=22 3000-MPE (Software)], on HPMuseum site, retrieved on October 2019.</ref>
=== Commands === Among others, MPE/iX supports the following list of common commands and programs.<ref>{{cite book |title=MPE/iX Commands Reference Manual |publisher=Hewlett-Packard |series=HP 3000 MPE/iX Computer Systems |date=October 1998 |id=32650-90864 |edition=10th |url=https://www.hpmuseum.net/capcha/freecap_wrap.php?r=5481}}</ref>
{{Div col|colwidth=9em}} * =SHUTDOWN * BASIC * CHDIR * COPY * DEBUG * ECHO * ELSE * EXIT * FORTRAN * HELP * IF * PASCAL * PRINT * RENAME * SH * WHILE {{Div col end}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{web archive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701125136/http://www.allegro.com/|title=Allegro consultants free resources}} * [http://beechglen.com Beechglen Development Inc.] MPE Software Support {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227212003/http://beechglen.com/ |date=1996-12-27 }} * {{web archive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318042413/https://www.hp.com/products1/evolution/e3000/mpeix/|title=HP MPE/iX homepage}} * {{web archive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226212226/http://docs.hp.com/en/32650-90864/index.html|title=HP MPE/iX Command reference}} * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823230928/http://www.openmpe.com/ |date=2018-08-23 |title = openMPE}} Advocates of continued MPE and IMAGE source code access beyond 2010 * {{cite web |title=Collection Listings (Documents) |publisher=HP Computer Museum |url=https://www.hpmuseum.net/collection_document.php}} Search for headings 3000, MPE V Operating System, MPE/XL MPE/iX
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Category:Discontinued operating systems Multi-Programming Executive Category:Proprietary operating systems Category:1974 software
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