kernel

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Related to Monolithic kernel: Micro kernel

ker·nel

(ker'nĕl),

The central portion of the software expression of a mathematical algorithm, as in computed tomography.

[O.E. cyrnel, a little corn]

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References in periodicals archive ?

Most early operating systems were implemented by means of large monolithic kernels. Loosely speaking, the complete operating system-scheduling, file system, networking, device drivers, memory management, paging, and more -- was packed into a single kernel.

* Microkernels must efficiently support new types of applications that cannot be implemented with good performance on conventional monolithic kernels. This progressive criterion must be satisfied for a real advance in operating-system technology.

Indeed, most early microkernels evolved step by step from monolithic kernels, remaining rich in concepts and large in code size.