JavaOS

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JavaOS is an operating system with a Java virtual machine as a fundamental component. It is developed by Sun Microsystems. As Unix or Unix-like systems are primarily written in the C programming language, JavaOS is primarily written in the Java programming language.

As of 2006, Sun considers JavaOS a legacy system (see Future).

Contents 1 Microkernel 2 Virtual machine 3 Drivers 4 Windowing system 5 Applications 6 Future 7 References 8 See also 9 External links

[edit] Microkernel

The system is based on a hardware architecture native microkernel.

Platforms that the kernel runs on include

• ARM
• PowerPC
• RISC
• SPARC
• StrongARM
• x86

[edit] Virtual machine

The Java virtual machine runs on top of the microkernel.

[edit] Drivers

All device drivers are written in Java and executed by the virtual machine.

[edit] Windowing system

A graphics and windowing system, implementing the AWT API is also written in Java.

[edit] Applications

JavaOS was designed to run on embedded systems and has applications in devices such as set top boxes, networking infrastructure and ATMs. It's also the operating system that comes with the JavaStation.

[edit] Future

Sun now officially considers JavaOS a legacy system and recommends migration to Java ME ^[1]. This by itself however is not a full replacement, as Java ME is an API specification, which runs on top of an operating system, and not an operating system in itself.

[edit] References

1. ^ entry on JavaOS. CDC FAQ. Retrieved on October 11, 2006.

[edit] See also

• Java
• JNode Active project to create an operating system, written almost fully in Java, to run Java programs natively.
• Inferno

[edit] External links

• Inside the IBM JavaOS Project
• JavaOS Architecture presentation from Sun
• Press release announcing JavaOS (May 29, 1996)