Operating System Vs. Applications? (Abstract Milieu)
We live in times when all show much concern about HOW computing works
and disregard WHAT we intended to get of computing. In reality any
operating system: both Windows and Linux are mammoth to work with. It is
not matter what operating system do: it could seize many functions, it
could leave bulk of them for your discretion. It is necessary to
reexamine what is operating system at all.
In general, operating system could be considered as intellectual space
for working with data, code, information, and definitions. And if it
isn't it is time to make it such one. If it does not reach you let's
look at Internet. Who knows what operating system installed at a server
you are browsing to? What commands are included in a protocol you are
working with? How you get information? From a script? What a language or
a database used for it? You ignore it. It is the way. So, let's make the
next step: all this MUST be applied regarding a single computer.
Where are we going to? Distributed, ubiquitous, comprehensible,
collaborative environment - abstract milieu. Information space from your
computer throughout entire world back to your computer. If you are
afraid of then let's this space expands over only your computer. Really,
it does not matter. Of course, such a scheme does not exclude operating
system at all. It is indispensable layer between hardware and software
as well abstract milieu is necessary layer between software and wetware.
But operating system must go unconscious for most of us and lessen our
dependence of it. Finally, we should have got a situation when you could
work at any computer with any operating system without even suspecting
what you are working with. It is worthy to obtain, isn't?
Think about specific situation: you are going to have got information of
a book. In such abstract milieu you will have got it in uniform
appearing. At the same time you ignore how you get information:
- an application (console, GUI, CGI);
- a file (txt, html, xml);
- a script (Java, C++, Perl);
- a link (http, ftp, reference in database);
- a record (Oracle, Informix, Sybase);
- an archive (zip, gz, arj);
- a message (email, icq, chat).
At last, if you doubt in attainability of such prospects get know a
specification of a language which could manage this emerging area:
http://www.*-*-*.com/
Sincerely yours,
Yuriy Guskov.
--== Sent via Deja.com http://www.*-*-*.com/
---Share what you know. Learn what you don't.---
