NeXTSTEP

NeXTSTEP is a discontinued object-oriented, multitasking operating system based on UNIX. It was developed by NeXT Computer in the late 1980s and early 1990s and was initially used for its range of proprietary workstation computers such as the NeXTcube and later ported to several other computer architectures. Although relatively unsuccessful at the time, it attracted interest from computer scientists and researchers. It was used as the original platform for the development of the first AppStore, The Electronic AppWrapper, the first commercial electronic software distribution catalog to collectively manage encryption and provide digital rights for apps and digital media. It was also the platform that created the first web browser by Tim Berners-Lee. After the purchase of NeXT by Apple, it became the source of the popular operating systems OS X, iOS, and now watchOS and tvOS. Many bundled OS X apps, such as TextEdit, Mail and Chess, are descendants of NeXTSTEP applications.

NeXTSTEP or NextSTEP is an acronym that has following meanings:

• NeXTSTEP, a UNIX-based operating system developed by NeXT in the 1980s and 1990s
• NextSTEP, a set of projects of NASA aiming to develop technology for human spaceflight in deep space exploration