The AMPOS Project

This project aims to run multiple executable formats in one Unix-like Operating System (Windows' PE/COFF/EXE, Unix/Linux's ELF, etc.)

The make.py script is a modular build system used to assemble, compile, link, and package the bootloader and related targets into an ISO image, including GPT/PMBR patching and optional QEMU emulation.

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Project Overview

• Bootloader: A bootloader that scans the root directory to locate the setup file (setup.ase) and load it efficiently.
• Setup.ase: The main OS setup binary, carefully assembled and linked.
• Build System: Python-based build automation for compiling assembly, C, and C++ sources, linking, creating bootable ISOs, and running in QEMU.
• ISO Support: Custom ISO9660 generation with GPT + Protective MBR patching to ensure compatibility.
• Emulation: Supports booting and testing with QEMU using various device types (iso, cdrom, fdd, hdd).

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Key Features

• Fast and flexible root directory scanning bootloader
• Paged ISO Parsing which parses ISOs page by page
• Support to load a setup.ase binary which is limited to upwards of ~500KiB in raw content size
• Support for different boot mediums (FDD, HDD, ISO/CD-ROM, USB, etc) and different boot methods (BIOS MBR, BIOS GPT, UEFI)
• Modular build targets with flexible per-target configs
• Support for raw binary and ELF linked targets
• Custom linker script and includes directory usage
• Automated ISO image creation with GPT + PMBR patching
• Integrated QEMU emulation options with different boot devices
• Command-line flags for cleaning, debugging, selective builds, and minimal file operations
• Support for aligning individual files to align boot.esp to 1MiB (Required by some UEFI implementations)

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Directory Structure

/project-root
|
+-- build.py                # Build automation script
+-- boot/                   # Bootloader source code (assembly)
|   +-- boot.asm
+-- setup/                  # Setup OS sources (C, asm)
|   +-- inc/flags.inc
|   +-- initial/entry16.asm
|   +-- initial/entry32.asm
|   +-- linker.ld
|   +-- kernel.c
+-- custom_buildtools       # Python toolkit for building
+-- iso/                    # Folder for staging ISO contents (auto-generated)
+-- bin/                    # Compiled binaries output (auto-generated)
+-- .temp/                  # Temporary build objects (auto-generated)
+-- output.iso              # Final bootable ISO image (auto-generated)

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How to Use the Build System

Run the build script from the project root:

python3 make.py

Useful options:

Option	Description
--only <name>	Build only a specific target (e.g., setup or boot)
--clean	Clean build output and temporary files before building
--keep	Keep the bin/ and .temp/ directories after build (don't clean)
--no-build	Skip the build step; only run ISO creation, emulation, etc.
--iso	Generate the ISO image after build
--debug	Show detailed compile/link commands and progress
--minimal	Move built files instead of copying to reduce duplication
--all	Clean, build, create ISO, and run QEMU emulation
--emul <type>	Run QEMU with device type: iso, cdrom, fdd, hdd, hdd_sata, none

Example: Clean, build everything, make ISO, and run QEMU emulating a CD-ROM:

python3 make.py --all --emul cdrom

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Current Build Targets

• setup: Main OS setup loader, linked from multiple sources.
• boot: Raw bootloader assembly binary that performs root directory parsing.

Targets are configured inside make.py with options for first files, raw builds, linker scripts, and ISO paths.

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Dependencies (REQUIRED)

• Python 3.x ----| pycdlib pyfatfs

• GCC toolchain (gcc, g++, ld)

• Clang toolchain (clang, clang++, lld)

• NASM assembler

• QEMU for emulation/testing

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Project Goals for the future

• Build & Maintain a reliable Operating System for executing files of both Unix/Linux and Windows origin.
• Offer an easy to use build system that compiles all necessary components and produces a bootable ISO.
• Enhance drivers and user experience

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License

This project is licensed under GPLv2. See to the "LICENSE" file for more information

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Feel free to contribute improvements or report issues!