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Fiasco Microkernel Version 1.0 Released

Posted by timothy on from the freedom-of-choice dept.

'lonzo writes "Version 1.0 Fiasco, a GPL re-implementation of the L4 microkernel has recently been released. This microkernel is designed to be a flexible hardware abstraction layer rather than YetAnotherCloneOfUnix. Its 'mechanism not policy' design allows far more opportunities for *ghasp* innovation than any of the Unix clones. It also provides people with an alternative to the macrokernel design of Linux. Get your copy here. Linux has already been ported to this OS, get it here, and another port."

4 of 29 comments (clear)

  1. Hooray for C++! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Finally, a kernel written in a high-level language. This is going to make the nontrivial subsystems like VM and buffer cache MUCH cleanier, easier to debug, and ultimately, easier to improve.

  2. huh? by GigsVT · · Score: 2, Insightful

    How can you call it Linux, if it doesn't use the Linux kernel? Wouldn't it just be Another GNUish System?

    --
    I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
  3. Where's the innovation? by Wesley+Felter · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Its 'mechanism not policy' design allows far more opportunities for *ghasp* innovation than any of the Unix clones.

    I agree, but where is it? The L4 crowd, like Mach before them, spent so much time building the microkernel that they haven't built anything interesting on top of it.

    1. Re:Where's the innovation? by Wesley+Felter · · Score: 2, Insightful

      OS X uses some Mach code, but it doesn't use a microkernel. And OS X is architecturally not very interesting; it's basically yet another Unix.