Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!njin!princeton!udel!mmdf
From: rheffel@cs2.wsu.edu
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
Subject: The future of MINIX
Message-ID: <19504@louie.udel.EDU>
Date: 12 Jul 89 03:07:56 GMT
Sender: mmdf@udel.EDU
Lines: 37


I suggest that AST publish the operating system book and the code listing 
separately.  By code, I mean that Appendicies B-E should comprise the separate
code listing.  Perhaps even Appendix A should be included here too.

The advantage arising from this separation is that the book will not contain
older versions of the code (thereby rendering it slightly obsolete) and will
allow operating system classes to reference current code.  Furthermore it will
allow MINIX devotees to keep up to date by permitting them to purchase 
the code listing separately.

I suggest that the code listing be published in an IBM 3-ring binder size format

Let us take a look at an example of what I mean.  If AST's operating system
book did not use line numbers but allowed one level of indirection, his book
would not go out of date.  For example on page 243 he references line 5965.
In another version of MINIX (ie later than 1.1), that line number probably
does not reference the same C statement.

This problem could be solved properly by inserting the phrase "ref-listing x"
in the book, and on the first page of the IBM 3-ring binder have the following:
	ref-listing x = line 5965.

Such a method of indexing so commonly found in computer science would preclude 
the necessity of constantly modifying the book to keep it up to date but would 
still permit the OS book to correctly correspond to the lastest version of the 
code.

Prentice Hall could bundle the 2 items (the OS book and the IBM style code 
listing) to sell to student book stores, but could also sell the IBM style 
code listing optionally with the upgrade diskettes.

I hope this method of distribution will be considered seriously because
MINIX has a larger following than AST presumes.

I agree with the MINIX fan who suggested that the XREF program be included
with the next version of MINIX.