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 expressive power of a computer language, which we develop. Finally, we apply those principles to current techonology, and try to dissipate some myths about current computer abstractions believed to be fundamental.


Table of Contents

  • Introduction

  • I. Operating Systems and Utility
    1. Utility
    2. Information
    3. Computers
    4. Limits of Computers
    5. Computing as a Project
    6. Computing Systems
    7. Subsystems
    8. Operating Systems
    9. OS Controversy

      ALL BELOW CHAPTERS ARE TO BE WRITTEN OR REWRITTEN

    10. Operating System Utility
    11. Users are Programmers
    12. Current state of System software
    13. Contents of an Operating System
    14. Multiplexing: the main role of an OS
    15. 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