# BareMetal

> exokernel-based computer operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q3634939](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3634939)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BareMetal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/baremetal

## Summary
BareMetal is an exokernel-based computer operating system written primarily in assembly language. It is classified as a system software designed to manage computer hardware resources with minimal abstraction. The operating system is distributed under BSD licenses and is available in English.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: BareMetal is an instance of an operating system.
- **Architecture**: It utilizes an **exokernel** design, a specific architecture for managing hardware.
- **Programming Language**: The system is written in **assembly language**, a low-level language with a strong correspondence to machine code.
- **License**: The software is released under the **BSD licenses**.
- **Language**: The language of work or name for the system is English.
- **Wikipedia Presence**: The entity has a sitelink count of 4, appearing in English (en), Spanish (es), Hindi (hi), and Turkish (tr).
- **Identifiers**: It holds the Freebase ID `/m/0j7j672` and Wikidata description "exokernel-based computer operating system."
- **Copyright Status**: The work is classified as copyrighted.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of operating system is BareMetal?
A: BareMetal is an exokernel-based operating system. This means it is designed to manage computer hardware resources while providing a very minimal level of abstraction, allowing for more direct application control over hardware.

### Q: What programming language is BareMetal written in?
A: BareMetal is written in assembly language. This is a low-level programming language where instructions have a strong correspondence to the computer architecture's machine code.

### Q: Under what license is BareMetal distributed?
A: BareMetal is distributed under the BSD licenses. This implies it is a free software license with minimal restrictions on use and distribution.

## Why It Matters
BareMetal represents a distinct approach to system design within the field of computer science by utilizing an **exokernel architecture**. While conventional operating systems often hide hardware details behind heavy abstractions to protect the system, BareMetal prioritizes the secure multiplexing of raw hardware resources. This design philosophy allows applications to make more efficient use of the underlying hardware, potentially offering performance benefits for specific workloads.

The choice to write the system in **assembly language** is highly significant. It indicates a development focus on extreme optimization and direct hardware manipulation, bypassing the overhead associated with high-level languages. This makes BareMetal a notable case study for understanding low-level system operations and the exokernel concept, distinct from mainstream monolithic or microkernel designs. Its availability under **BSD licenses** further ensures that it remains an accessible resource for research and development in the open-source community.

## Notable For
- **Exokernel Architecture**: Distinguished by its exokernel design, which seeks to provide secure, direct access to hardware rather than abstracting it.
- **Assembly Language Implementation**: Unlike most modern operating systems written in C or C++, BareMetal is built using assembly language for precise machine control.
- **BSD Licensing**: Notable for using the permissive BSD license, allowing for broad freedom in usage and modification.
- **Low-Abstraction Design**: Specifically engineered to minimize the software layer between the application and the hardware.

## Body
### Technical Architecture
BareMetal is an **operating system** defined by its unique architectural choices. It is classified as an **exokernel-based** system. In this model, the operating system functions primarily to securely multiplex the physical hardware resources, rather than managing them through complex abstractions. This design requires applications to manage their own resources more directly.

### Development and Language
The system is developed using **assembly language**. According to technical definitions, this is a low-level programming language characterized by a very strong correspondence between its instructions and the architecture's machine code instructions. This choice allows for granular control over the computer hardware but typically increases the complexity of system programming.

### Licensing and Distribution
BareMetal is accessible to the public under the **BSD licenses**. Despite being an open-source project, its legal status is listed as **copyrighted**. The primary language associated with the work and its naming conventions is **English**.

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
The project has a specific footprint across academic and knowledge platforms:
*   **Wikipedia**: It has a dedicated article titled "BareMetal" with a sitelink count of 4, covering English, Spanish, Hindi, and Turkish languages.
*   **Knowledge Graphs**: It is indexed with the Freebase ID `/m/0j7j672` and has a discontinued Microsoft Academic ID of `2778077029`.
*   **Platform**: The system is associated with the platform identifier **Q272629**.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013