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About this quote

What does it mean?
Device drivers are fundamentally different from user-space code and microkernels are flawed.
In plain terms
Drivers should not look like regular apps and small kernels are bad.
What can you take from it?
Respect the distinct constraints of system-level components.

Where it applies

  • building systems
  • writing drivers
  • designing OS

Putting it to work

  • write drivers
  • avoid microkernels
  • model hardware

Questions to consider

  • What determines system architecture?

Another view

Microkernels offer theoretical benefits like isolation.

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