Abstract: A computer operating system that can be flexibly constructed by inclusion of any of a plurality of processing components. These processing components include (1) a core component that includes a process manager that provides for co-execution of multiple processes, each such process having an associated context; (2) a first processing component that defines a predetermined processing function that is executed within the context of any of a number of multiple processes and that includes a set of import symbols and export functions; and (3) a component switch that is coupled to the core component to provide a tightly coupled connection between the core component and the first processing component such that an execution reference made within a particular context to any of the import symbols and export functions are local within that particular context.