Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 (Fortune 01.1b1); site graffiti.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!think!harvard!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!shell!graffiti!peter
From: peter@graffiti.UUCP (Peter da Silva)
Newsgroups: net.micro.68k
Subject: Re: Re: Holy Holistic, Batman!  (OS-9 and the art of being holistic)
Message-ID: <313@graffiti.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 16-Oct-85 10:55:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: graffiti.313
Posted: Wed Oct 16 10:55:51 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 21-Oct-85 00:41:21 EDT
References: <576@sftig.UUCP> <1001@bnl44.UUCP> <11467@rochester.UUCP> <6014@utzoo.UUCP> <139@mcrware.UUCP>
Organization: The Power Elite, Houston, TX
Lines: 29

> Ok, some of you UNIX-sheltered programmers need a lesson on advanced OS-9
> programming topics.  OS-9 pipes can be "named" much like disk directory
> files:
> ...

That's a very nice interface. I assume that /pipes is analogous to a mounted
device in UNIX, but that OS/9 allows non-block devices to be mounted in the
file system.

As for the rest of your message: we don't need the OS/9-UNIX flames. You'll get
my MMU when you pry my cold, dead, fingers off the keyboard. As for the
differences in fork()-ing, I would like to comment that you're talking about
the interface to fork(), as opposed to the implementation. Or does OS/9 fork
just set up a process table and put the address of the routine you hand it
into the child processes PC?

It should be obvious why that technique isn't appropriate for a protected
memory environmnent like UNIX'. It's a much better technique for a non-
protected system like OS/9 or XINU, yes.

But in any case... OS/9 is not the same sort of system as UNIX. It doesn't need
some of UNIX features, and vice versa. They are both nice systems for personal
computers on up. If you want sheer speed & efficiency, get OS/9. I prefer a
secure system where programs can't clobber the O/S without trying very, very,
hard.

I would love to get some more information on OS/9. I have been totally unable
to even see the thing run. Would you people at Microware be so kind as to let
me know how to find out more about this paragon.