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The word kernel is so espoused to operating systems for me that seeing the nature of the project was surprising. In fact, I specifically expected to see some mo

The word kernel is so espoused to operating systems for me that seeing the nature of the project was surprising. In fact, I specifically expected to see some modified Linux kernel and was wondering if someone made use of some liveliness-guaranteed locking system of some sort. After the surprise, I thought about my personal definition of "kernel", and it turns out it's as outlined below (ones in parentheses would never be expected, but would be concessions after having been surprised, as I was with this article). 1: Linux Kernel. 2: BSD-derivative kernel. 3: Some other Unix kernel. 4: Some other OS kernel. ( 5: Maize seeds. 6: Some core part of other software. )

nickpsecurity 11y ago
The common usage of the term does make that come to mind. However, kernel just means the central part of things. The bottom-most layer in computing. Relevant for your definition, a whole sector of operating systems are microkernel-based: almost everything in Linux/BSD are merely user-mode processes for such systems, running on a tiny kernel.
- planckscnst 11y ago
  I'm not sure I'm parsing your comment correctly; it seems you're asserting that Linux and BSD kernels are microkernels? That is most certainly not the case. There are very many features in the Linux kernel that are not typically in a microkernel, including and not limited to networking, fliesystems, and capability systems.
  - nickpsecurity 11y ago
    The point is that people using Linux/BSD consider those "kernel" functions while microkernel-based OS's (eg QNX, MINIX 3) have same stuff running as isolated, user-mode processes. To them, a kernel is a component with a dozen or so function calls that facilitates and restricts operation of user-mode stuff. All the real functionality are just apps running in processes. Another tie-in to BSD is that fact that both QNX and MINIX 3 pull NetBSD code into their systems... in user-mode processes. So, the point is that a "kernel" thing to people exposed to Linux/BSD isn't kernel to others. The usage is often based on perception with only consistency between all usages is that what they call kernel is at the core of their system. And for OS's, often the most privileged as it runs in kernel mode.
- vezzy-fnord 11y ago
  For instance, the basic runtime management modules that the Erlang VM starts as its first application is also called the kernel: http://erlang.org/doc/man/kernel_app.html http://erlang.org/doc/man/kernel_app.html (Erlang can be described as a special-purpose OS in many ways, so it makes sense.)
  - nickpsecurity 11y ago
    Yes. They say the same about browsers, too, which is why secure browsers have a "kernel" that mediates everything. Additionally, in High-Performance Computing, the highly-optimized routines that do much of the work are often called kernels. It's a very overloaded term.

nickpsecurity 11y ago

The common usage of the term does make that come to mind. However, kernel just means the central part of things. The bottom-most layer in computing. Relevant for your definition, a whole sector of operating systems are microkernel-based: almost everything in Linux/BSD are merely user-mode processes for such systems, running on a tiny kernel.

planckscnst 11y ago
I'm not sure I'm parsing your comment correctly; it seems you're asserting that Linux and BSD kernels are microkernels? That is most certainly not the case. There are very many features in the Linux kernel that are not typically in a microkernel, including and not limited to networking, fliesystems, and capability systems.
- nickpsecurity 11y ago
  The point is that people using Linux/BSD consider those "kernel" functions while microkernel-based OS's (eg QNX, MINIX 3) have same stuff running as isolated, user-mode processes. To them, a kernel is a component with a dozen or so function calls that facilitates and restricts operation of user-mode stuff. All the real functionality are just apps running in processes. Another tie-in to BSD is that fact that both QNX and MINIX 3 pull NetBSD code into their systems... in user-mode processes. So, the point is that a "kernel" thing to people exposed to Linux/BSD isn't kernel to others. The usage is often based on perception with only consistency between all usages is that what they call kernel is at the core of their system. And for OS's, often the most privileged as it runs in kernel mode.
vezzy-fnord 11y ago
For instance, the basic runtime management modules that the Erlang VM starts as its first application is also called the kernel: http://erlang.org/doc/man/kernel_app.html http://erlang.org/doc/man/kernel_app.html (Erlang can be described as a special-purpose OS in many ways, so it makes sense.)
- nickpsecurity 11y ago
  Yes. They say the same about browsers, too, which is why secure browsers have a "kernel" that mediates everything. Additionally, in High-Performance Computing, the highly-optimized routines that do much of the work are often called kernels. It's a very overloaded term.