https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/24250 2026-05-06T12:53:49Z 2026-05-06T12:53:49Z Venter, B.H. https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/24277 2018-06-07T01:00:48Z 1988-01-01T00:00:00Z

A detailed look at operating system processes Venter, B.H. An operating system provides, among other things, an operational definition of a process. The concept of a process is one of the fundamental concepts of Computer Science, and the designer of an operating system must strive to provide a definition that is simple to understand, does not violate the intuitive notions one has about processes, and is simple to implement efficiently on a wide range of computer systems. On the other hand, the definition should not fail to provide the functionality that existing operating systems have, by user demand, gradually evolved into providing. This paper presents a framework for discussing the operational definition of a process, and uses this framework to discuss systematically some of the more important decisions and trade-offs regarding processes, that the designer of a new operating system must make.

1988-01-01T00:00:00Z Venter, B.H. https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/24276 2018-06-07T01:00:52Z 1988-01-01T00:00:00Z

A new general-purpose operating system Venter, B.H. The current generation of widely-used, multi-user, general-purpose operating systems have evolved from versions that were designed when many of the issues that are important today were unimportant or not even thought of. This evolution has not been totally successful. In particular, the current generation is ill suited/or implementation on loosely-coupled multi-processors. A new operating system, designed with current requirements in mind, and flexible enough to adapt successfully to likely future requirements, has been developed as part of a project to build a loosely-coupled multi-processor system that should have the performance and functionality of a 'super mainframe' computer. This paper concentrates on describing the fundamental mechanisms of the operating system: processes, inter-process communication, and servers. It also briefly outlines the support provided/or data security, database applications, and real-time applications. Keywords: operating systems, system calls, inter-process communication, distributed systems, operating system security, operating system database support, real-time.

1988-01-01T00:00:00Z Smit, P.J. https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/24273 2018-06-07T01:01:25Z 1988-01-01T00:00:00Z

The use of colour in raster graphics Smit, P.J. Colour computer graphics covers a wide field of applications such as games, computer aided-design, image processing and digital terrain modelling. The traditional way of using colour in raster graphics systems, the RGB colour model, is not always acceptable to the user who finds it unnatural and difficult to use. These disadvantages can be overcome by the use of colour models that provide natural interfaces, such as the HSI, HSL and CNS colour models, or a uniform colour space such as the LUV colour model. This paper describes these models and discusses their use in colour assignment and other applications. Keywords: Colour, colour models, uniform colour spaces, colour in raster graphics.

1988-01-01T00:00:00Z Mende, J. https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/24271 2018-06-07T01:00:57Z 1988-01-01T00:00:00Z

A Structural Model of Information Systems Theory Mende, J. The laws and techniques of maJure sub1ects such as Physics and Electrical Engineering are logically connected to one another in the form of a deductive network There is a foundation of basic laws deriving from them are successive layers of logically consequent laws and techniques The field of study "Information Systems' (IS) shares a common feature with Physics and Electrical Engineering All three provide the knowledge necessary for designing Man s artefacts Consequently we can expect their logical structure to be similar That means IS techniques should be logically connected to IS laws and IS laws should be logically connected to laws of fundamental subjects such as Computer Science Psychology and Management Keywords inf ormatwn systems metatheory research

1988-01-01T00:00:00Z