Are Processes Objects? [djg11]

[David Garfield]

In the beginning there was the question "Are Objects Processes".

At first, I thought yes.

Now, I'm not sure.

I will admit that process management is done through objects that are 
associated one-to-one with the processes, however I have come to 
belief that they should be seperate.  

I feel that each process should provide drivers for 0 or more classes, 
provide 0 or more public functions, and optionally include a startup 
and shutdown functions.  

The startup function will be invoked when the process is started.  For 
a purely procedural program, this will be the program.  

The shutdown function will be invoked by the system (kernel or some 
manager) when the system believes it is ok to terminate the process 
and thinks it would be good to do so.  The shutdown function will then 
have three choices, say no, say yes, or terminate its process.  Saying 
no will normally be because the process feels it is still needed.  A 
TCP/IP handling process might be like this, as to terminate because 
the system is low on memory would stop all future remote access 
attempts.  Saying yes would mean that the process is willing to 
terminate, and would normally be given only if the request was "are 
you willing to terminate".  Terminating itself would be done if the 
process feels it has nothing more to do at this time and that it can 
be restarted if needed.  Most graphics interface processes would 
probably do this if there are not running graphics applications.

The classes information would define what classes this process can 
respond to methods of, what methods of these classes are handled by 
this processes, and define the base classes of the classes.

The public function table would provide similar information (under the 
constraints of not being object oriented).



Among other things, I am not sure what a process object would do with 
methods to itself besides what I just said, and I don't see any of 
what I already said requiring the process itself to receive messages 
to its management object.

Arguments?  Flames?
-- 
David Garfield/2250 Clarendon Blvd/Arlington, VA 22201   (703)522-9416
Email: david%davgar@uunet.uu.net or garfield@snoopy.sra.com