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VM Enables 'Write-Once, Run Anywhere' Linux Apps

Posted by Zonk on from the i-run-so-far-away dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A startup will soon launch 'a kind of holy software grail,' according to an article at LinuxDevices. The dual-licensed technology is claimed to enable more or less normal Linux applications to run — without requiring recompilation — under Windows, Mac, or Linux, with a look and feel native to each. 'As with Java, Lina users will first install a VM specific to their platform, after which they can run binaries compiled not for their particular OS, but for the VM, which aims to hide OS-specific characteristics from the application. Lina comprises a platform-specific application that virtualizes the host PC's x86 processor... A lightly modified Linux kernel (2.6.19, for now) runs on top of the VM. Under the Linux kernel is a filesystem with standard Linux libraries modified to map resources such as library, filesystem, and system calls to analogous resources on the host platform.' Further details, including an entertaining video or two are at OpenLina.com"

9 of 482 comments (clear)

  1. Humor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    From the LINA FAQ:

    Q: What does LINA stand for?
    A: LINA is not an acronym.

    1. Re:Humor by maxwell+demon · · Score: 4, Funny

      I've heared they renamed MIT. It's now named "MIT Institute of Technology"

      --
      The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
  2. From the FAQ by ozric99 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Q: What programming languages is LINA written in?
    A: For performance reasons, we've written LINA in C and C++.

    Why not just write the VM in Java, then it'll be truly portable, right? Right..?

  3. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    And I've had just about enough of you toilet users. If you can't plumb a toilet then you don't deserve to use it. Non plumbers should respect their "does a bear sh*t in the woods" heritage. You'll probably find a tree in the yard. Enjoy.

  4. MS should buy this immediately by anwyn · · Score: 3, Funny

    If MS had half a brain they would buy this company immediately! This could work like wine in reverse! MS could say to the suits, "you don't have to migrate away from our wind-turd OS, you can buy this emulator!" The suits are too stupid to realize that they would be missing the most important advantage of Free Software, namely freedom, but the suits would like not having to convert their powerpoint presentations to open office!" This is horrible news!

  5. Re:Huh? by the_mushroom_king · · Score: 5, Funny
    This is slashdot. You lost me at "girlfriend".

    WTF is that?

  6. Re:why Windows has a 'run' command by shmlco · · Score: 4, Funny

    Actually, knowing how to spell hinders typing Linux commands...

    --
    Any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.
  7. In Soviet Russia... by feedmetrolls · · Score: 2, Funny

    LINY is not you!

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    You are reading a sig. Cancel or allow?
  8. Re:Don't forget wxPython! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    So I've been using this 'holy grail' for years, but maybe the VM slowdown and commercial licensing will appeal to some people. :-)

    I work at a big company developing internal software, and I can say that yes, yes it will. Does this LINA thing use XML? :'-(