Re: Random idea:
On Thu, Dec 30, 1999 at 01:10:51PM -0900, George A. Dowding wrote:
> * Obligatory Random Idea:
>
> Has anyone taken a look at Plan 9/Inferno. They have made some
> interesting design decisions. One of the most interesting is to
> elevate the concept of files. Not only are all physical devices files
> (like Unix), but running programs can be treated as files. An example
> given was a name server. To get the information a process would write
> the request to the name server file. Reading that same file after the
> request would provide the address information. Apperently the idea
> was to limit the type of operations that processes had to provide to
> basic file reads and writes.
>
> To make a shell metaphor:
>
> $echo gnu.hurd.org > /system/nameserver
> $cat /system/nameserver
>
> Name: www.gnu.org
> Address: 198.186.203.18
> Aliases: hurd.gnu.org
Well, that's exactly what a Hurd translator can do. however, in the above
example, you have to keep the device open or you'd get problems in a
multi-tasking, multi-user system.
Well, if you feel a nameserver translator and similar would be useful, go
and write one for the Hurd!
Thanks,
Marcus
--
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