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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

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)

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

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

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 */
}

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