[eterps]

I don't know of any other system that accomplishes as much with the same amount of code lines. It includes not just a kernel, but also a compiler, a dynamic linker, an editor, and an unusual blend of a desktop and command line.

It's not something you'd want to use today, but it's certainly worth studying. It's a wonderful lesson in keeping complex systems as simple as possible.

[e12e]

> I don't know of any other system that accomplishes as much with the same amount of code lines

Possibly STEPs?: https://tinlizzie.org/VPRIPapers/tr2012001_steps.pdf

[eterps]

AFAIK there is no way to follow instructions from somewhere that results in an actual working system. I think there's something experimental that works on top of a Smalltalk system, but that it's not able to work independently of that. I also don't remember all source code being available.

Oberon is able to run on actual hardware and works in various emulators.

I do love the research they did for STEPS though, it's unfortunate it didn't result into an actual release.

[pjmlp]

And a JIT in later versions, with the support for slim binaries.

[eterps]

Indeed, Michael Franz's work was certainly impressive. It's unfortunate that the code readability of those parts didn't quite match up to the rest of the system.