https://github.com/carterisonline/lateral

A clean, custom-built modular kernel ready to boot on x86_64.
https://github.com/carterisonline/lateral

Last synced: 1 day ago
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A clean, custom-built modular kernel ready to boot on x86_64.

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/carterisonline/lateral
• Owner: carterisonline
• License: apache-2.0
• Created: 2021-06-28T20:11:21.000Z (over 3 years ago)
• Default Branch: master
• Last Pushed: 2024-11-01T20:18:15.000Z (3 months ago)
• Last Synced: 2025-01-21T03:06:54.169Z (9 days ago)
• Language: Rust
• Size: 85 KB
• Stars: 104
• Watchers: 7
• Forks: 6
• Open Issues: 0
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • License: LICENSE

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README

        
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---

### Lateral is a work-in-progress multitasking monolithic kernel + OS meant as a fun summer project.

It has recently expanded into more than I could imagine, and I'm looking to implement a fully usable operating system in the future.

## The Window Manager

Lateral's window manager contains a floating, widget-based desktop with custom syntax for defining window attributes and widgets via. Rust's macro system. Titles and (in the future) menu actions are displayed at the top blackout bar.

> ![image](img/graphix.png)

> Screenshot of the Lateral window manager (taken in v0.2.1)

### Core Design

Windows can be controlled without a mouse in `Normal Mode` using the WASD keys, and the command-bar can be activated using `TAB`. Press `SPACE` to focus a window, which will capture all input. `ESC` will exit `Focus Mode`.

The command-bar is an essential design component inspired by apps like [Krunner](https://userbase.kde.org/Plasma/Krunner). While typing, the command-bar expands to show command parameters and a preview of the output (configured using the Lateral API). Commands return results via. a new window instead of plain text. This serves as a hybrid of the terminal and modern window managers, allowing all apps to provide output through the same paradigm.

Every app will execute through the command-bar. There is no included start-menu or terminal. When using Lateral, it's clear that nothing about it is POSIX-compliant. Each component is built on top of the window manager instead of the terminal, like most operating systems do.

### Running Applications

It's important to note that executable files are not located in the same place as non-executable files. Different filetypes are separated into different "partitions" in the filesystem itself.

| Section | Members |

| ------- | ------- |

| apps    | Any executable binary/script |

| configuration | Configuration files or serializable files |

| logs | Application log files |

| misc | Any other files |

The command-bar will match any executables in the user's directory. This is where compiled or installed applications are stored, ex: `apps: carter/hello-world`. You can also explicitly run executables from other users' directories if you have permission, ex: `system/help` runs `help` in the `system` folder (owned by `system`) inside of the `apps` section.

## Building and running

If you have GNU Make and QEMU installed, you can run `make run-release ARCH=x86_64` to build for x86_64 and run in the QEMU emulator.