An operating system construction kit for building bare-metal OSes using managed .NET languages like C# and VB.NET.
Cosmos is an operating system construction kit that allows developers to build bare-metal operating systems using managed .NET languages like C#, VB.NET, and F#. It uses a custom IL2CPU compiler to convert .NET code into a working OS, providing low-level hardware access and essential system components. The project solves the complexity of traditional OS development by leveraging familiar .NET tools and libraries.
Developers and hobbyists interested in operating system development, particularly those with experience in .NET languages who want to explore low-level system programming without extensive assembly knowledge.
Cosmos stands out by enabling OS development with high-level, memory-safe .NET languages, reducing the barrier to entry compared to C/C++ or assembly. Its integrated compiler and standard library streamline the process, making it ideal for educational projects, custom embedded systems, or experimental OS builds.
Cosmos is an operating system "construction kit". Build your own OS using managed languages such as C#, VB.NET, and more!
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Enables OS development using managed .NET languages like C# and F#, as stated in the README, lowering the barrier for .NET developers without deep assembly expertise.
Includes the custom IL2CPU compiler to convert .NET code into bare-metal OS, streamlining the build process and reducing manual low-level work.
Provides foundational filesystem, graphics, network, and audio interfaces out of the box, allowing developers to focus on custom OS features rather than reinventing basics.
Offers comprehensive documentation and active Discord support, as highlighted in the README, aiding in troubleshooting and collaborative learning.
The README describes interfaces as 'basic,' which may not suffice for complex projects needing advanced, production-ready system capabilities or extensive hardware support.
OS development is inherently complex, and Cosmos's setup, while documented, can be challenging for those new to low-level programming or .NET toolchains, potentially requiring significant time investment.
Using managed .NET languages on bare-metal introduces runtime overhead compared to native C/C++ or assembly, which could impact performance-critical applications or real-time systems.