Built-in Applications

Application Suite

guideXOS includes a variety of built-in applications that showcase the capabilities of the operating system. All applications are GUI-based and run in their own windows.

Built-in Applications

📝 Notepad

A simple text editor for creating and editing text files:

• Features: Open, edit, save text files
• Keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+S (save), Ctrl+O (open)
• File formats: .txt, any plain text
• Launch: Click Start → Accessories → Notepad

🎨 Paint

A bitmap graphics editor for creating and editing images:

• Tools: Pencil, brush, eraser, fill bucket, line, rectangle, circle
• Color picker: RGB color selection
• Canvas: 800x600 default size
• File formats: .bmp (bitmap images)
• Launch: Click Start → Graphics → Paint

🧮 Calculator

A functional calculator application:

• Operations: +, -, ×, ÷
• Functions: Square root, percentage, memory
• Input: Click buttons or use keyboard
• Launch: Click Start → Accessories → Calculator

📋 Console

Command-line interface for system control:

• Commands: 30+ system commands
• History: Up/down arrows to recall commands
• Auto-launch: Opens automatically at boot
• Launch: Click Start → System → Console

📁 File Manager

Browse and manage files graphically:

• Features: Navigate directories, view files
• Operations: Copy, move, delete, rename
• Views: List view with file details
• Launch: Click Start → System → File Manager

🌐 Web Browser

Basic web browser with HTTP support:

• Protocol: HTTP (HTTPS not supported)
• Rendering: Basic HTML rendering
• Navigation: URL bar, back/forward buttons
• Launch: Click Start → Internet → Web Browser

💬 IRC Client

Internet Relay Chat client:

• Features: Connect to IRC servers, join channels
• Commands: /join, /part, /msg, /nick
• Protocol: Standard IRC (port 6667)
• Launch: Click Start → Internet → IRC Client

📊 Task Manager

Monitor system resources:

• Process list: View running applications
• Memory usage: See RAM consumption
• Performance: CPU and memory graphs
• Launch: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc or Start → System → Task Manager

🖼️ Image Viewer

View image files:

• Formats: BMP images
• Features: Zoom, pan, fullscreen
• Navigation: Next/previous images
• Launch: Click Start → Graphics → Image Viewer

⚙️ Settings

System configuration:

• Display: Resolution, refresh rate
• Network: IP configuration
• System: About, version info
• Launch: Click Start → System → Settings

GXM Executable Format

guideXOS uses a custom executable format called .gxm (guideX Module):

Format Structure

GXM File Structure:
┌──────────────────────┐
│  Header              │
│  - Magic: "GXM\0"    │
│  - Version: 1        │
│  - EntryPoint offset │
│  - Code size         │
│  - Data size         │
├──────────────────────┤
│  Code Section        │
│  (Native x86 code)   │
├──────────────────────┤
│  Data Section        │
│  (Constants, strings)│
├──────────────────────┤
│  Metadata            │
│  (Name, icon, etc.)  │
└──────────────────────┘

How GXM Works

1. Compilation: C# application compiled with NativeAOT
2. Packaging: Native binary wrapped in GXM format
3. Loading: OS allocates memory for code and data
4. Execution: Jump to entry point, application runs
5. API Access: Apps call OS functions for GUI, file I/O, etc.

Creating GXM Applications

// 1. Write C# application
public class MyApp
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        Window win = new Window("My App", 400, 300);
        win.Show();
    }
}

// 2. Compile with NativeAOT
dotnet publish -r guidexos-x64

// 3. Package as GXM
gxm-packager myapp.exe -o myapp.gxm

// 4. Copy to /bin directory
cp myapp.gxm /bin/

// 5. Run from Start menu or console
gx> exec /bin/myapp.gxm

API Libraries

Applications can use these OS APIs:

• GUI.dll - Window, Button, TextBox, Label, etc.
• Graphics.dll - Drawing primitives, images
• FileSystem.dll - File and directory operations
• Network.dll - Sockets, HTTP, DNS
• System.dll - Memory, process, threading

Launching Applications

Method 1: Start Menu

The easiest way - click the Start button and browse categories:

Click [Start] button
    ↓
Select category (e.g., "Accessories")
    ↓
Click application name (e.g., "Notepad")
    ↓
Application launches in new window

Method 2: Console Command

Use the console to launch apps by name or path:

gx> apps
Installed Applications:
  notepad.gxm
  paint.gxm
  calc.gxm
  browser.gxm

gx> exec notepad
Launching Notepad...

gx> exec /bin/paint.gxm
Launching Paint...

Method 3: Desktop Icons

Double-click icons on the desktop to launch favorite apps.

Method 4: File Manager

Navigate to /bin in File Manager and double-click .gxm files.

Related Topics