Software
The only software available to the user after turning on the computer is a monitor contained in ROM. The monitor supports basic debugging functions, it allows viewing and modifying memory cells, loading and saving memory contents to the tape, entering and running programs in binary code. The monitor is also HAL: programs that access the hardware only by calling the monitor library support both 16Kb and 32 Kb RAM versions and often also Micro-80 predecessor.
Initially, the Radio magazine distributed programs for the Radio-86RK in the form of hexadecimal dumps. After entering the program dump into the computer's memory, it could be saved to the tape. It was easy to make a mistake when typing in large dumps, so the magazine published checksums along with the dumps. It was necessary to execute "O" monitor directive to calculate the checksum.
The magazine published two versions of the BASIC interpreter: an adapted version of Micro-80 BASIC[14] and a version specially developed for the Radio-86RK featuring enhanced editing capabilities, new functions, and other improvements.[15] Other software published in the magazine included assembler, debugger, disassembler, text editor, voice recorder, music editing system. Also, a lot of BASIC programs were published, including calculations for electronic circuits design and games.
Another way of obtaining software was the tape exchange among Radio-86RK owners. In 1988, the law on cooperation in the USSR came into force, which made legal to produce software for profit by individuals and cooperatives. From that moment it became possible to buy software for the Radio-86RK.
Operating systems
In 1989 the RAMDOS operating system was developed for the computer. It uses part of computer's RAM as a RAM drive. The contents of RAM drive can be loaded and saved to the tape. The operating system has a minimalistic user interface with only seven commands; it also adds support for file operations to the BASIC interpreter.[16]
In October 1992, the Radio magazine and TOO Lianozovo company announced a floppy-disk controller for the Radio-86RK and the Microsha. The disk operating system (DOS)[17] was stored in erasable ROM on the controller board. The Radio magazine published only the electrical circuitry of the controller[18] but not the firmware. Radio-86RK owners were invited to buy the fully assembled controller or a kit along with two floppy disks containing external DOS commands, programming languages and text description of the operating system.
