The Howdy Glossary

Sing# is a programming language developed by Microsoft to enable the creation of applications for the Singularity operating system, an experimental research project utilizing microkernel architecture. The language emphasizes safety and simplifies asynchronous programming within Singularity's fine-grained concurrency framework, using features like non-nullable types, resource ownership models, and explicit state machines. These design choices aim to help developers avoid common coding errors that could lead to security vulnerabilities or program failures, enhancing the overall security and reliability of software applications built for this specialized environment.

Sing# was created as part of Microsoft's research and development efforts focused on the Singularity operating system. The development team prioritized safety and simplicity in designing the language, especially in contexts involving asynchronous programming within a microkernel architecture. This focus stemmed from a need to improve software security and reliability by addressing common coding pitfalls that often result in vulnerabilities or crashes. Although Singularity did not become widely adopted as an operational system, Sing# contributes valuable insights into microkernel design principles and systems-focused application development.

Sing# sets itself apart from other programming languages through its unique focus on facilitating application development for microkernel-based systems like Singularity. It incorporates specific safety features such as non-nullable types and resource ownership models along with explicit state machines that help mitigate common coding errors. Additionally, it simplifies asynchronous programming within a fine-grained concurrency framework provided by channels and ports in Singularity. While languages like Rust, Ada, SPARK, Go, C, and C++ also emphasize safety and performance in system-level development contexts, Sing#'s targeted support for microkernel architectures makes it particularly suited for projects requiring high levels of security and efficiency within these specialized environments.