Description

Several aspects of the EROS design rest on the notion that an operation is prompt. We say that an operation is prompt if its execution time is entirely under the control of the kernel. Examples of prompt operations include:

• All invocations of kernel objects.

• Operations on primary objects that do not result in keeper invocations (page faults are considered prompt). While the kernel cannot guarantee that these operations are prompt, a user who knows by design that the invocations will not cause a keeper invocation may rely on their promptness.

Process invocations are not prompt. Invocations on device keys may or may not be prompt.