On Wed, 25 Mar 1998, Lane J. Bryson wrote:
[...]
>We're not talking about what I can do with it. We're talking about
>what an OS is, which is internal. All that's really at issue is what
>is happening inside the box.
Wrong.
Let's also consider your definition again. You argue that the kernel is
the operating system. How do modular kernels fit into that? Is the
operating system the kernel without any modules installed at all?
Is a system with different modules loaded a different operating system?
In order to load a module, the kernel must have an awareness of at least
one storage medium (e.g. a filesystem). So presumably your definition of
"operating system" includes an awareness of at least one storage medium.
Does it allow for awareness of more than one type of filesystem? If so,
how many? Oh, wait. Your definition doesn't include external software
constructs like filesystems. Therefore a modular Linux kernel must not
meet your definition of an "operating system".
I guess the question is: how does your definition accomodate extensible,
dynamic kernels? The answer: it doesn't. In fact, it prohibits them.
Suppose the kernel actually *did* directly provide a user interface.
Suppose it drove the console directly, accepted and processed console
input, and produced console output. Is it then *more* than an "operating
system"?
[...]
>> All you have to do is cite your strict definition, and I'll shut up.
>> We already have someone quoting Dr. Peter Denning disagreeing with
>> you...
>
> I did.
You don't have quite the credentials of Dr. Denning. I'm afraid his
definition supersedes yours.
>Prove it wrong on its own merits:
>
>"It just has to manage the memory, peripherals, and hopefully do something
>useful to qualify under a strict definition, which is all anyone can
>argue anyway."
There isn nothing to prove. You are simply making an assertion.
Anybody can make an assertion. I can assert that Hitler and the Nazis
never existed and that the Holocaust never occured. That doesn't make
my assertion true. You are attempting to redefine "operating system"
as "kernel". You can't simply redefine words.
--
Steve Coile
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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