>>what is a kernel?
>
>The way I think of the kernel is that it's the software that does all
>the interfacing with the hardware.
That is a good overall picture, but the more involved you get with
discussions about the kernel, it doesn't seem too accurate.
I always thought that drivers interacted with the hardware, and the kernel
was a 'traffic cop' for the drivers. The kernel tries to do its best to
keep out of the way of the drivers and let them do as much work as possible.
In Mac OS X, there are API's that allow certain user processes direct
access to the driver, like for a scanner, or some time-sensitive data
transfers like video and audio. This by-passes the kernel overhead.
The kernel is tightly linked to the hardware, but drivers are in between
the hardware and the kernel. Some drivers may be built into the kernel,
which blurs the distinction.
Charles Dostale
System Administrator
Silver Oaks Communications
http://www.silveroaks.com
824 17th Street
Moline IL USA 61265
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
309-797-9898
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