Why a New OS ?

Why computers need a new direction for system software, and what this new direction is

by François-René Bân Rideau \DD\a(.ng-V\u~

Part I needs some rewriting,
Part II is only half done,
Part III is only a draft.

Please excuse this article still not being finished.
Any help finishing it, any feedback, any pointer appreciated.

If this is a copy, you may find the latest original version at URL http://www.eleves.ens.fr:8080/home/rideau/Tunes/WhyNewOS/


Abstract

In this paper, we try to analyze the nature, goals and means of a computing system. We thus find out that existing "operating system" design is deeply flawed, and try to reconstitute how a computing system should be. We see how this problem connects to that of the power of a computer language, which we develop, and we finally try to dissipate some myths about existing computer abstractions being fundamental.


Table of Contents

  • Introduction

  • I. Operating Systems and Utility
    1. Utility vs Expediency
    2. Computer Utility
    3. Operating Systems
    4. Operating System Utility
    5. Current state of System software
    6. Users are Programmers
    7. Contents of an Operating System
    8. Multiplexing: the main role of an OS
    9. Toward a Unified System
  • II. Language Utility
    1. Computer Languages
    2. Goal of a computer language
    3. Reuse vs Rewrite
    4. Copying Code
    5. Having an Extended Vocabulary
    6. or a Better grammar
    7. Abstraction
    8. Metaprogramming
    9. Reflection
    10. Security
    11. Separation
  • III. No computer is an island, entire in itself
    1. Persistency or time-wise security
    2. Centralized
  • Conclusion

  • Bibliography
  • [Draft]


    To Do on these pages

  • Finish redacting the article.
  • Wait for feedback from the members.
  • Write a shorter version (just headers in bold face ?)
  • Write a table of contents with pointers
  • Put references to the Glossary (?)...


    Back to the Tunes Home page.


    Faré -- Francois.Rene.Rideau@ens.fr