UNIX in Vista (qualified opinions please)

[Steve Hart]

Hello knowledgebase:

I recently had an exchange with a coworker who told me that his friends @
MS told him that Vista's OS (or more specifically, its core kernel) shares
some commonalities with UNIX (or more specifically, its microkernel)... See
below for his claim:

"Interestingly enough the architect of NT based the OS Mechanics off of
4.3.0000 BSD UNIX and in turn the Vista core kernel incorporates more of the
UNIX micro-kernel system. I got that information from some friends at
MS.

If you have accurate/better info on the subject let me know.


It also
shows up with programming constructs that are more Unix like and the number
of easier ports like, PERL and scripting."

I am seeking qualified opinions on the accuracy of the above. Not being an
architect of NT -- I don't feel qualified to respond. Thanks in advance!

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Steve

Your talking about source code. You won't find a lot of information about
this since the source code for Windows is considered a trade secret.

Windows does include a Subsystem for UNIX applications.

Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/695ac415-d314-45df-b464-4c80ddc2b3bc1033.mspx

Microsoft also has a source code sharing program.

Windows Shared Source Licensing Programs:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/sharedsource/licensing/windows.mspx

Mark Russinovich-Windows Administration: Inside the Windows Vista Kernel:
Part 1 of 3.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2007/02/VistaKernel/default.aspx?pf=true

 

[Andy C.(never #)]

Hello knowledgebase:

I recently had an exchange with a coworker who told me that his friends @
MS told him that Vista's OS (or more specifically, its core kernel) shares
some commonalities with UNIX (or more specifically, its microkernel)... See
below for his claim:

"Interestingly enough the architect of NT based the OS Mechanics off of
4.3.0000 BSD UNIX and in turn the Vista core kernel incorporates more of the
UNIX micro-kernel system. I got that information from some friends at
MS.

If you have accurate/better info on the subject let me know.

It also
shows up with programming constructs that are more Unix like and the number
of easier ports like, PERL and scripting."

I am seeking qualified opinions on the accuracy of the above. Not being an
architect of NT -- I don't feel qualified to respond. Thanks in advance!

I'm afraid your friend is confused. The easily verifiable fact is that
many of the developers that worked on the original version of NT had
worked previously at DEC(Digital Equipment Corp) and were influenced
by DEC's VMS. And to be influenced by another operating systems'
concepts is not the same as incorporating the same features, etc.

True you can run Perl on windoze but it isn't the same thing. In fact
many Perl scripts will not run on both platforms unless the programmer
takes care to avoid OS specific calls. And if you have to spend so
much time doing that what's the use?

Later,

Andy C.(never #)