
		Codezero Microkernel v0.1 Release

		Copyright (C) 2007-2009 Bahadir Bilgehan Balban

1.) What is Codezero?

Codezero is a new L4 microkernel that has been written from scratch. It is a
modern microkernel implementation that provides capabilities for virtualization
and implementation of native OS services. Codezero can act as a virtualisation
platform, a hardware abstraction layer, and as a basis for developing operating
system services. Codezero's primary focus is on embedded systems.


2.) Why the name Codezero?

The project focuses on simplicity and clarity in software design. Everything is
kept simple, from the user-level services down to the build system that does
not take part in the actual microkernel. Codezero is a microkernel that is
easy-to-use and modify, providing a rapid kernel software development
environment.


3.) Why use Codezero?

Codezero aims to provide easy hands-on experience; you may simply download the
source tree, install the tools using this guide, and get up and running with
development on your virtual embedded platform from the comfort of your host PC.

Codezero strives to incorporate the most modern design features and presents
them in a well-written source code base. In other words, Codezero strives to be
technically cutting edge. Updates are rapid and open community is encouraged to
get involved in core development.


4.) What is the license?

The current release is distributed under GNU General Public License Version 3.
For contributions we ask for a copyright share agreement and you may freely
contribute to the project this way. This is our current model, but if you feel
this is too restrictive, feel free to mention your ideas in our mailing list.

The third party source code under the directories loader/ tools/ libs/c
libs/elf have their own copyright and licenses, separate from this project. All
third party source code is open source in the OSI definition. Please check
these directories for their respective licenses.


5.) Why not improve on a popular open source kernel instead of Codezero?

Open source POSIX kernels are not designed for running on embedded platforms.
  * Their source code is encumbered and cluttered with legacy or unrelated
    components.
  * Their user bases are saturated, their core developers are engaged and
    focused on non-embedded platforms.
  * Their source code base is too complex to grasp and most components enforce
    unnecessary policy on embedded applications.

Codezero is simple, clean, and focused on embedded systems. Still, existing
open source kernels are valuable with some of their features and drivers. As a
result, we attempt to virtualize them on top of Codezero.

Other embedded open source kernels are also out there. Codezero aims to differ
by clarity, simplicity and its cutting edge features.



