On the implementation of abstract data types in BirliX

Abstract

The BirliX operating system provides abstract data types to its users. All kinds of system resources are accessed by calling type-specific operations on instances of abstract data types. On top of BirliX, the Berkeley 4.3 UNIX interface is implemented by a small set of UNIX-tailored abstract data types. Abstract data types are implemented by an universal implementation structure, called team. A team, representing one instance, joins active and passive resources to one cooperating functional unit. Depending on their role within the team, the active resources are divided into agents and natives. While agents perform the type-specific operations on the instance, internal activities are executed by natives. Administration of teams, i.e. creation and deletion of its components, is done by a team manager. The implementation of teams exclusively uses active resources via light weight processes and passive resources via segments, which both are offered by lower system levels.