[Info-vax] VMS port to x86

[ChrisQ]

On 05/31/12 22:54, John Wallace wrote:

>>
>>> On the other hand, VMS would happily let you run complex kernel-mode
>>> and/or real-time stuff on the same box that was supporting interactive
>>> and batch users. It may not always have been a bright idea to do that,
>>> but it usually worked. Sometimes these things came to depend on
>>> behaviours that weren't formally documented but were predictable and
>>> reliable; sometimes that kind of dependency happened even without the
>>> interactive and batch users.

...and how many customers are using vms for real time work and are they 
relevant
in revenue terms ?. For that class of work, you only need a preemptive 
kernel
and associated support services. Iirc, several linux versions offer that
capability, as well as other unices. In any case, most real time work is 
done
in embedded space now, not on "minis".

A microkernel is ideally very compact, has limited but adequate 
functionality
for the intended task and a minimum of clutter, upon which layered 
functionality
of any required type is built, so it's hardly a limiting factor. It's just
designed to suit the application...

Regards,

Chris