| VM enables "write-once, run anywhere" Linux apps |
May 25, 2007
A startup in Alameda, Calif. plans to release a kind of holy software grail the third or fourth week of June. Lina said its dual-licensed Lina virtual Linux machine will run more or less normal Linux applications under Windows, Mac, or Linux, with a look and feel native to each.
The concept recalls Java, which has long promised "write once, run anywhere" compatibility. As with Java, Lina users will first install a VM specific to their platform, after which they can run binaries compiled not for their particular OS, but for the VM, which aims to hide OS-specific characteristics from the application.
In Lina's case, the VM is essentially a Linux environment that supports standard C/C++ applications, or even perl and python, if their respective interpreters are installed. CTO Nile Geisinger explained, "You have to compile binaries specifically for Lina, but it's fairly trivial, no different than compiling binaries for SuSE or Red Hat."
In the big picture, the goal is really to bring the huge world of open source software to the masses, said Geisinger, explaining, "We work in an office park with dozens of companies, and we're the only Linux users. Everyday, we are motivated to bring all the fantastic open source applications to the rest of the world."
Open source developers will be able to use Lina for free, while commercial developers will pay an as-yet undecided licensing fee, the idea goes.
How will it work?
Lina comprises a platform-specific application that virtualizes the host PC's x86 processor. A lightly modified Linux kernel (2.6.19, for now) runs on top of the VM. Under the Linux kernel is a filesystem with standard Linux libraries modified to map resources such as library, filesystem, and system calls to analogous resources on the host platform.
Lina architecture
(Click to enlarge)
The whole Lina VM download currently weighs in at 15MB, and expands to about 40MB after installation. "We're hoping to bring it down some from there," Geisinger admitted.
As an OS resource-mapping technology, Lina somewhat resembles Trolltech's Qt development framework. However, instead of relying on a massive runtime, Qt links in OS-specific characteristics at compile time, allowing developers to compile a single codebase into separate binaries for various OS targets.
All-important open source angle
Geisinger hinted that Lina's library set is fairly extensive, after four years of development by a team that has ranged from two to five developers. "There's a lot of code there," he said.
However, a few biggies are missing. GTK+ support is in the works, but not finished yet. There's no support initially for USB peripherals and possibly for other hardware interfaces. And, there's no slick installer to put non-Linux users at ease.
Obviously, Lina represents an ambitious undertaking. Still a tiny company with private funding, Lina hopes to get some help from the community after Lina goes open source next month.
Geisinger commented, "Our initial focus is on getting command-line and Web applications really solid. Although, GUI applications are also working today, and they are definitely the highest priority."
"One of the reasons Java ran into problems [delivering the "write once, run anywhere" promise] was because of cracks in the API," he adds, noting that they also didn't use an open source license. "The great thing about the open source community is that they care about the cracks, and will fix them, or at least complain. We're looking forward to those complaints."
Lofty goals
Ultimately, Lina has some pretty lofty goals. Geisinger said, "We're trying to change the economics of the software industry. Our hope is that in the next two years, all these companies that are starting with Microsoft APIs will start with Linux instead."
Software engineer Saill White added, "It's been said on numerous occasions that the big things that are holding Linux back are Adobe [for graphics software] and Intuit [for its personal finance software] because they write to Windows, and people can't give up those two pieces of software. As soon as companies like that, or companies that want to compete with them, start writing to LINA, things are going to change fast."
It may not be changing the world yet, but Lina is already a lot of fun, Geisinger concludes. He enthused, "When you build a Linux binary and take it to a Mac, and it's behaving like a Mac app, it's a pretty magical moment."
More details about Lina, including some nifty videos and screencasts, can be found here.
OpenLINA.org, a developers' site, will launch in June, White said.
-- Henry Kingman and Chris Preimesberger
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.
Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.
Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.
Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.
High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.
Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.
Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.
Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed