Hierarchical ordering of sequential processes

Abstract

One of the primary functions of an operating system is to rebuild a machine that must be regarded as non-deterministic (on account of cycle stealing and interrupts) into a more or less deterministic automaton. Taming the degree of indeterminacy in steps will lead to a layered operating system. A bottom layer will be discussed and so will the adequacy of the interface it presents. An analysis of the requirements of the correctness proofs will give us an insight into the logical issues at hand. A "director-secretary" relationship will be introduced to reflect a possible discipline in the use of sequencing primitives. © 1971 Springer-Verlag.