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
- Utility
- Information
- Computers
- Limits of Computers
- Computing as a Project
- Computing Systems
- Subsystems
- Operating Systems
- OS Controversy
ALL BELOW CHAPTERS ARE TO BE WRITTEN OR REWRITTEN
- Operating System Utility
- Users are Programmers
- Current state of System software
- 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