Hello everybody. I saw your project on osdev a while back, have lurked for a
bit, and recently ventured into your IRC channel, where it was recommended I
introduce myself here. So, without further ado: I've been playing with
writing an operating system based around the .NET platform for quite some
time now. Originally I hated even the concept of .NET, being a
compile-to-native purist. Longhorn's (?) initial idea of having a managed
kernel was unfathomable to me. But I got a job doing C# development and
quickly warmed up to the framework, despite its flaws. I've always loved low
level code, kernel debugging and such, and I began to wonder what it would
be like if I welded Mono to a microkernel. Metadata, verifiability, insane
optimization possibilities, a global object space, IL voodoo on the whole
system, et cetera. So for many months I've been tossing the idea around,
filling notebooks with diagrams and lists when I should be studying or
working. I've got some very basic test code, just a grub hello world and
some metadata reading, but I've done much thinking about it all and have
ideas and vision.
Only recently did I accept even the notion of managed drivers. To me, it's
kind of a corruption of the point CIL to be so machine specific, plus to
expose such low level machine access to the managed environment breaks some
kind of philosophical wall in my eyes, and introduces the possibility of
real malicious managed code. But I'm alright with it now, strictly locked
down by verifiable security of course. However the concept of a kernel, a
native translator, the whole runtime, written entirely in managed code
itself, is still alot to process for me. The most machine specific code
there can be, in 'intermediate language'. But I'm coming around to it as
well. Self hosting ability is nice. I suppose with the right tweaks to the
AOT it could still compile to a user mode program on another OS. Machine
access was already allowed for drivers. But not counting the giant overhead
involved, it's just weird. It still doesn't feel right to me.
But I'll probably get over that, too.
So what do I bring to the table?
At least 8 years of C, C++, and some x86 assembly experience.
Twoish years of C#.
An existing pool of ideas for the system, with some conflicting opinions
I'm sure.
And a fanaticism for my projects. I've been up to my neck in IA-32
architecture references, .NET internals books, Mono, osdev resources, and
ECMA335 for months now.
What do I lack?
Well, I've never used subversion before. My only source control xp is
really, really laid back source safe at work
And I've never been in an organized large project before. Again, my work
environment is extremely laid back, and all my hobby projects have been solo
or loose.
Anyway, I think that just about wraps up my story here. I'm typing this up
between classes on two hours sleep, so please excuse any rambling or other
faux pas.
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