Microsoft researchers Jim Larus and Galen Hunt lead a project where they’ve built an OS using managed code (C#)! This project is known as Singularity. Look at what they do in their own words (cited from http://channel9.msdn.com):
“Singularity is a research project focused on the construction of dependable systems through innovation in the areas of systems, languages, and tools. We are building a research operating system prototype (called Singularity), extending programming languages, and developing new techniques and tools for specifying and verifying program behavior”.
This project is a similar effort with SharpOS that aimed to build an operating system in managed code (100% written using C#) bring by community. In the other words Singularity is a Ms Research initiative and SharpOS is a community effort, but both share the same aim: write an operating system based on .NET technology.
Quite interesting, because the operating system will be fully written in managed code (including the low level), especially written using my favourite language C#! This make me wonder how really strong C# is? Yes, C# is a dynamic language (I mean that -as far I know- it always change). Look at C# 1.0, then C# 2.0 (introduces generics, partial class, nullable types), and C# 3.0 (extension methods, inferred type variables, LINQ).
In my humble opinion C# is really cool! If you hesitate with what I say please try the above features and give me a comment about what you feel in using this language. Singularity and SharpOS maybe only prototype researchs not a fully fledged OS, however it still makes sense, this like exposing the power of C# and tell me that using managed code we can build an OS!
As time ongoing I hope there will be more resources and news available on these two projects, so we can see exactly what is happen.
Regards, Tri Sugiyantowo.