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
- Utility vs Expediency
- Computer Utility
- Operating Systems
- Operating System Utility
- Current state of System software
- Users are Programmers
- Contents of an Operating System
- Multiplexing:
the main role of an OS
- Toward a Unified System
II.
Language Utility
- Computer Languages
- Goal of a computer language
- Reuse vs Rewrite
- Copying Code
- Having an Extended Vocabulary
- or a Better grammar
- Abstraction
- Metaprogramming
- Reflection
- Security
- Separation
III.
No computer is an island, entire in itself
- Persistency or time-wise security
- 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