Oberon is relatively unique in that it is both an operating system (OS) and a programming language. Named for one of the moons of the planet Uranus, it is a very simple text-based language, accompanied by a language compiler. The Oberon programming language wrote the Oberon OS. The name for the OS changed, since it was confusing to refer to both of them as Oberon, but many people still sometimes use the original name.

Benefits and features of Oberon include:

1. Simplicity of structure and implementation;

2. Oberon as an OS has a small footprint, which means it requires a low amount of system resources;

3. Safety, security and reliability;

4. And modularity, meaning you only install the modules that you need, which contributes to the simplicity and low amount of resources, since you're not running processes you don't need.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Install the Oberon operating system on your computer

Run Oberon as the operating system for your computer. You can run Oberon on top of various other operating systems, as another option. Check out old versions of the OS Oberon for a trip back into computing history or if you want to install it on a much older machine.

I recommend: Download the latest version of A2, also known as Bluebottle, the new name for the operating system formerly called Oberon, as a CD-ROM image file that will create a bootable CD-ROM. Find links to download other versions, including a Windows Plug-in version, versions for Linux, Solaris and the Mac OS at ETH Zurich, the institution that created Oberon.

Use the Oberon programming language to develop software

Because of its simplicity, the programming language Oberon is popular by those looking for an alternative to the more-complicated languages you can use to produce most modern software. You need less manpower to write an application using Oberon than other languages.

I recommend: Download VisualOberon core modules, optional packages and other files necessary to run VisualOberon, following the instructions and links on the VisualOberon download page. Obtain files and documentation for a version of Oberon that runs under Small Linux.

Find Oberon OS information online

As an operating system, Oberon may be simple, but there is still a learning curve. Find information on how to install and use Oberon at Oberon-related websites, or join Oberon forums and ask questions. Oberon makes a good teaching tool for education in programming language concepts.

I recommend: Find links to compilers, tools and other Oberon-related information at Ulm's Oberon System. Learn more about both the Oberon OS and the Oberon programming language at the Cetus Team's Oberon page.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you download the Oberon OS online, there are several parts and many steps. Make sure you read the instructions so you know how to do it before you start the download.