Execution Environments in Programming and Operating Systems
Abstract
Multi-tasking operating system design is a thorough test of a programming methodology. Such systems contain large and complex data and control structures, manipulate unsafe hardware, require very efficient code, and must execute continuously for days at a time in the presence of transient hardware errors. Furthermore, they must conform to real-time constraints of hardware and users, and still satisfy throughput requirements. The module construct in most recent methodology-based languages specifies only the source language structure of programs. However, the structure of the executable representation of an operating system program is very complex, and need not be isomorphic to the source structure. The operating system designer needs control over the executable representation of the system, especially when programming bootstrapping facilities, system generation and configuration programs, interfaces to hardware dependent modules, and managers for such execution facilities as address translation tables, process state registers, interrupt vectors, dynamic storage, protection domains.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA120099
Entities
People
- Robert W. Schwanke
Organizations
- Carnegie Institute of Technology