1. An operating system, executable by a computer, that can be flexibly constructed by inclusion of a plurality of processing components, said operating system comprising: a. a core component including a process manager supporting the co-execution of multiple processes, each such process having an associated context; b. a first processing component that defines a predetermined processing function that is executed within the context of any of said multiple processes, said first processing component including a set of import symbols and export functions that are supported by said first processing component; and c. a component switch, coupled to said core component, that provides a tightly coupled connection between said core component and said first processing component such that an execution reference made within a predetermined context to any of said import symbols and export functions through said component switch are local within said predetermined context.