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README.md
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@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
# Mu: a human-scale computer
Mu is a minimal-dependency hobbyist computing stack (everything above the
processor and OS kernel).
processor).
Mu is not designed to operate in large clusters providing services for
millions of people. Mu is designed for _you_, to run one computer. (Or a few.)
@ -68,13 +68,11 @@ The Mu stack consists of:
All Mu programs get translated through these layers into tiny zero-dependency
ELF binaries that run natively on Linux. The translators for most levels are
built out of lower levels. The translator from Mu to SubX is written in SubX,
and the translator from SubX to bare SubX is built in bare SubX.
Mu builds and runs on Linux. It has also been tested on Windows 10 using the
Windows Subsystem for Linux. Since Mu emits 32-bit binaries, it requires
[installing WSL2](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10)
which isn't currently pre-installed by default.
and the translator from SubX to bare SubX is built in bare SubX. There is also
an emulator for Mu's supported subset of x86, that's useful for [debugging
SubX programs](subx_debugging.md).
Mu programs build natively either on Linux or on Windows using [WSL 2](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10).
For Macs and other Unix-like systems, use the emulator:
```sh
@ -83,35 +81,42 @@ $ ./bootstrap run ./a.elf # run in the emulator
$ echo $?
```
The emulator is also useful for [debugging](subx_debugging.md).
Mu programs can be written for two very different environments:
* With just a Linux kernel. This is the environment that Mu bootstraps itself
into, and it's the option for programming with stdin, stdout and file
descriptors.
* Without an OS, by interacting directly with the screen and keyboard. This
is the option for rudimentary pixel graphics. There's currently no mouse, no
hardware acceleration, no virtual memory, no process separation, no multi-tasking,
no persistent storage, no network. These programs have not yet been tested
on native hardware, only on on Qemu and Bochs. But these _baremetal_
programs build from scratch, without any C. This is the future.
```sh
$ ./translate_mu_baremetal baremetal/ex2.mu # emit disk.img
$ qemu-system-i386 disk.img
```
<img alt='screenshot of a Mu program running without any intervening Operating System' src='html/baremetal.png'>
Use `translate_mu` to build programs for Linux, and `translate_mu_baremetal`
for running without Linux. The standard libraries are totally separate for the
two options, so programs for one won't run on the other.
### incomplete tools
The `baremetal/` sub-directory contains Mu programs that use no Linux
services, and can control the screen and keyboard directly without an OS. You
can make things like this with them:
<img alt='screenshot of a Mu program running without any intervening Operating System' src='html/baremetal.png'>
To reproduce it:
There's a prototype live-updating programming environment for a postfix
language:
```sh
$ ./translate_mu_baremetal baremetal/ex2.mu # emit disk.img
$ qemu-system-i386 disk.img
$ ./translate_mu apps/tile/*.mu
$ ./a.elf screen
```
On other Unix systems, translate Mu sources in emulated mode. On Windows,
perform the translation in WSL2 and then run [Qemu for
Windows](https://www.qemu.org/download/#windows) outside WSL2.
---
There's a prototype Mu shell, a postfix language with a dynamically updating
environment. It might turn into the initial experience when a Mu computer
boots.
Once generated, ELF binaries can be packaged up with a Linux kernel into a
bootable disk image. Here's how the Mu shell might look on startup:
bootable disk image. Here's how the postfix environment might look on startup:
```sh
$ ./translate_mu apps/tile/*.mu # emit a.elf