1 Introduction

1.1  Scope

The Kernel application has all the code necessary to run the Erlang runtime system: file servers, code servers, and so on.

The Kernel application is the first application started. It is mandatory in the sense that the minimal system based on Erlang/OTP consists of Kernel and STDLIB. Kernel contains the following functional areas:

• Start, stop, supervision, configuration, and distribution of applications
• Code loading
• Logging
• Global name service
• Supervision of Erlang/OTP
• Communication with sockets
• Operating system interface

1.2  Prerequisites

It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the Erlang programming language.