Objects to the rescue! or httpd: the next generation operating system

Abstract

This position paper suggests that object-oriented operating systems may provide the means to meet the ever-growing demands of applications. As an example of a successful OOOS, we cite the http daemon. To support the contention that httpd is in fact an operating system, we observe that it implements uniform naming, persistent objects and an invocation meta-protocol, specifies and implements some useful objects, and provides a framework for extensibility.We also believe that the modularity that is characteristic of OO systems should provide a performance benefit rather than a penalty. Our ongoing work in the Synthetix project at OGI is exploring the possibilities for advanced optimizations in such systems.

References

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Index Terms

• Software and its engineering

  • Software notations and tools

    • General programming languages

      • Language types

        • Object oriented languages

  • Software organization and properties

    • Contextual software domains

      • Operating systems