[comp.arch] V-kernel and Unix

lantz@Pescadero.UUCP (02/19/87)

I recently sent a message in response to Daniel Conde's request about a
Unix-compatible version of V, but have reason to believe it didn't get
posted outside of Stanford.  Therefore, let me reiterate:

As of summer 1985 I had an ``almost there'' version of V that eliminated
most of the remaining incompatibilities from UNIX -- including providing
fork, signals, and shared file I/O -- such that even more applications could
be ported without change.  This is in contrast to what we, Tektronix, and
presumably all other V user communities out there are (still) doing --
porting applications to V by modifying the applications, however
``straightforward'' those modifications might be.  There were two
motivations for this project: 1) to make V more marketable (not for money so
much as wide-spread use) and 2) to provide a base for getting REAL
performance comparisons between a kernel-based UNIX and vanilla UNIX on the
same hardware running the same application suite.  Alas, this project was
terminated due to the return of its implementor, Alan Hastings, to Bell and
lack of interest on the part of prospective funding bodies.  If someone out
there is really interested in finishing this project, get in touch.