Sponsored By
Efika 5200B Project
Multi function OSin category Operating Systems
proposed by Patrick102076 on 7th February 2006 (accepted on 10th February 2006)
Project Summary
A dual mode operating system, capable of providing greater access and processor time to games and higher performance programs, with the second mode a multitasking mode for GUI support. There will be various programming methods, one being a hybrid assembler capable of providing a more familiar set of mnemonics for programmers who wish to switch from intel x86 to powerpc, and a command line tool providing the user, and applications with a virtual machine capable of performing complex arithmetic functions, data generation and array manipulation. The various virtual registers can be used to pass information from one app to another without the need to implement fileI/O or command line processing repeatedly. The operating system features similar calls regardless of the processor it operates on. I intend to provide support for primary and secondary keyboards, mice and game controllers, with memory stick support, etc. The game mode provides the programmer with the option to use libraries of functions, or his own custom functions. There should be a level of seperation between the OS and applications to provide immunity from corrupt or malicious programs. I would like multimedia support, provided I can figure out the specifics of certain devices, the extent depending on the particular machine. The kernel will have a minimal GUI capability, the intention being that a seperate GUI be used to permit either the kernel or the GUI to be totally overhauled without the need to reprogram the other. I intend to permit multi-processor support where possibleProject Blog Entries
Figured driver specifications for existing OS filesystem support whereby the kernel can function without needing to know itself what filesystem is being dealt with--a kind of abstraction layer.
Specs for file access to greatly reduce system calls and user overhead. Specs completed for controller and device drivers. Interactivity with kernel improved, with facilities to permit code reduction and program performance increases using methods accessible to different processor architectures.
Planned facilities for multiple users
Next task: Figure some video driver specifics. Still working thru XGI docs.
Have figured out the specifics of the timing for the kernel. Have also planned the video support required for the kernel to be able to place information on the screen whilst other graphics application are executing, but cannot finalize it without practical testing on the XGI graphics cards. Further need to wait until I have my hands on the graphics adapter to figure out the complete set of functions that I can provide.
With the graphics chip integrated onto the motherboard, the possibility of support for USB 2.0 on a PCI card presents itself.