Teaching operating systems with Modula-2

Reviewer: James Dennis Kiper

In this paper, Brumfield describes an implementation of a process manager in the context of an operating systems course for upper-division undergraduate students. Valid arguments are given for the choice of Modula-2 over Pascal as the implementation language. These include Modula-2's coroutines for concurrency, modules for data abstraction and separate compilation, and low-level facilities for development of machine-dependent sections. The process monitor is described in sufficient detail to allow its incorporation with little difficulty. Some interface specifications in Modula-2 are given. Alternate designs are described and critiqued. The only premise which some teachers may disagree with is that students should be exposed in a course in operating systems to design and implementation issues. The value of these issues cannot be denied, but the appropriateness of such an emphasis during a student's first extensive exposure to operating systems may be questioned.