The Open Firmware is a Firmware (data-processing Logiciel which makes it possible to charge the Operating system) independent of the type of computer used and developed by Sun Microsystems. This firmware is used (nonexhaustive list) in new the Macintosh (excluded those containing Intel processor) of Apple, the work stations and waiters containing Processeur S SPARC of Sun Microsystems, and the machines Pegasos PC. On this type of machine the Open Firmware more or less fulfills the same functions as BIOS of PC S.

The firmware is usable and programmable by the user through a Shell in language Forth. It is about a rather powerful high-level language. It is for example possible to make solve the problem of the Tours of Hanoï by Open Firmware

On Macintosh, this Shell is accessible by maintaining supported the keys Apple-Option-O-F to starting from the machine. It is generally used only by the administrators. For the end user, the system Mac OS X provides a high level graphical interface making it possible to modify the adjustments of the firmware. It is for example possible to change the disc or the partition of starting without having to use Open Firmware Shell.

Open Firmware is a standard of the IEEE: reference IEEE-1275.

See too

• Firmware

• BIOS
• Macintosh

External bonds

• http://www.gete.net/mac/article.php3?id_article=343

• http://playground.sun.com/1275/mejohnson/
• http://www.firmworks.com