FOSDEM 2023: Introducing the Helios microkernel

Recording of a talk given at FOSDEM '23 in the microkernels devroom.

Helios is a simple microkernel written in part to demonstrate the applicability of the Hare programming language to kernels. This talk will introduce the design and rationale for Helios, address some details of its implementation, compare it with seL4, and elaborate on the broader plans for the system.

Hare is a systems programming language designed to be simple, stable, and robust. Hare uses a static type system, manual memory management, and a minimal runtime. It is well-suited to writing operating systems, system tools, compilers, networking software, and other low-level, high performance tasks. Helios uses Hare to implement a microkernel, largely inspired by seL4.