On 2 Sep 1998, David Maslen wrote: > John Tobey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > > Two, writing GNU-quality code takes considerable skill. Linux may not > > be GNU-quality, but the experience gained from Linux will help > > developers "move up" to the HURD. As M$ well knows, it's better to be > > second at doing something, because you learn from the first guys' > > mistakes (and successes). Even more so in the world of Free Software; > > you also learn and borrow from their code base. > > > > And besides, you just gotta go with the microkernel. ;-) > > Would you care to elaborate. GNU quality code. Is this why the GNU > tools seem to be ported to every platform? Because the quality has > gone into planning them in such a way as this is possible without > nasty platform dependant hacks? > > If so does that mean that for HURD to be GNU quality, it isn't enough > to get it going on a i386 now, because it has to work on any/all > architectures in the future. More assumption, but wouldn't this mean > an eternity of planning, and probably enough changes while your > planning, that you need to plan again when you've finished?
Well, the micro-kernel means that user-side programs hardly care what arch they're on. Remember the micro-kernel has already been ported (I can't lkist the platforms, though :-( > > Secondly, the microkernel. My understanding is that it's a good thing > because the micro kernel becomes a generic layer to talk to the > hardware and everything else sits on top. This is more flexible if you > want something else to sit on top. I've also heard it isn't as > efficient as a purpose built kernel. > You have heard correctly. In fact, some hurd pundits are saying that mach isn't a very good microkernel.. but, it has provided and admirable proof of concept. Jules /----------------+-------------------------------+---------------------\ | Jelibean aka | [EMAIL PROTECTED] | 6 Evelyn Rd | | Jules aka | [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Richmond, Surrey | | Julian Bean | [EMAIL PROTECTED] | TW9 2TF *UK* | +----------------+-------------------------------+---------------------+ | War doesn't demonstrate who's right... just who's left. | | When privacy is outlawed... only the outlaws have privacy. | \----------------------------------------------------------------------/
