You can use it as a general computing environment.
> However, it makes no sense when you start development to try to guess what calls you might end up using.
I agree. That's why you will be using libraries to duplicate what your OS did for you. The Exokernel guys call this a library OS. Libraries are already quite good at providing abstractions.
The difference to a conventional architecture is, that the kernel only provides secure multiplexing between application on the same machine. But the abstractions from the hardware are provided by some libraries. It's easier to experiment with libraries than with operating systems.
The MIT-Exokernel-Operating-System page (http://pdos.csail.mit.edu/exo.html) explains this in more detail. If you look at the first picture, and replace `Exokernel' with `hypervisor', you get modern virtualisation.
I'm semi-intrigued, but I'd like to see a sign of life beyond a page from '98. Not trying to be cruel, just saying that'd I'd like to see what's going on now.
> However, it makes no sense when you start development to try to guess what calls you might end up using.
I agree. That's why you will be using libraries to duplicate what your OS did for you. The Exokernel guys call this a library OS. Libraries are already quite good at providing abstractions.
The difference to a conventional architecture is, that the kernel only provides secure multiplexing between application on the same machine. But the abstractions from the hardware are provided by some libraries. It's easier to experiment with libraries than with operating systems.
The MIT-Exokernel-Operating-System page (http://pdos.csail.mit.edu/exo.html) explains this in more detail. If you look at the first picture, and replace `Exokernel' with `hypervisor', you get modern virtualisation.