This section describes the most important kinds of authority. Section (p2,primary) enumerates all keys, but see (p1,keydef) first.

Data Accessing Authority

Even the main storage used directly by the program is owned by the program via keys. Like some recent operating systems, programs running in Gnosis have access to data by having that data occur in the address space of the program. This is in contrast to the program asking the operating system to copy data between files and its memory. It is vital to note that the program has the data, not merely a copy of the data in its space. If the program doesn’t have the authority to modify that data, the program will be stopped if it tries to store into that data. If it can and does store into the data, the data is modified as of that instant. This is in contrast to most older systems where the program must ask the operating system to copy from main storage to the file before the data is modified. In Gnosis, if another program is accessing the same data, the data will occur in the space of both programs by means of shared core pages.

Multics is based on this idea.

The constructs that determine the authority of programs are themselves examinable and modifiable when the appropriate authority is held. This authority is invoked with the interpretive aid of the Gnosis kernel. Each such action is done with a key that designates the authority and authorizes the examination or change.

A program needs this authority to do anything. This authority is quantitative and expires when the quantity is consumed.

Programs may hold authority to call specific other programs. In fact authority for specific invocations of other programs may be held. The other programs that are called typically have authority beyond that of the caller and may have effects on the system that the caller could not have had otherwise.

Calling other programs is the way synthetic authority is exercised. The authority and program logic of the other program defines the synthetic authority.

Some programs hold authority to use specific parts of the hardware such as printers and interval timers. These programs normally hold their authority jealously, but provide derived services to other programs.