More precisely, a framework for building operating systems - this is the terminology preferred by the authors from Genode Labs.
This microkernel OS designer supports several microkernels from the L4 family, the Muen kernel and its own minimalistic base-hw kernel.
Developments are available under the AGPLv3 license and, optionally, a commercial license: https://genode.org/about/licenses
An attempt to make an option available for use by someone other than microkernel enthusiasts is called SculptOS: https://genode.org/download/sculpt
In this release:
- complete redesign of the graphics stack (in the future it will allow you to restart drivers without problems in case of failure)
- improvements in Qt integration, which made it possible to partially port the Falkon browser (which quite clearly illustrates the degree of readiness for the use of the OS by ordinary people)
- encryption subsystem updates (written in SPARK/Ada!)
- vfs updates
- and many other improvements
The features of this project include the following:
- widespread use of xml as a configuration format - which may cause idiosyncrasy for some commentators
- standard level of writing release notes and documentation - if all open source projects adhered to similar standards, life would be easy and amazing
In general, the project pleases with regular releases, is actively and systematically developing and looks very promising as an alternative to GNU/Linux in a bright microkernel future. Alas, the lack of an Emacs port demotivates the author of the news from trying to get to know the projectβs developments more deeply than reading the documentation.
Source: linux.org.ru