This PR transforms the basic Torch-based system utilities into a comprehensive OpenCog-specific system library, adding essential functions for cognitive architecture operations while removing the Torch dependency.

Key Features Added

Memory Management for AtomSpace Operations

• sys.memory_usage() - Real-time process memory statistics including RSS, page faults
• sys.system_memory() - System-wide memory information (total, free, used RAM/swap)
• sys.monitor_memory() - High-level memory monitoring with pressure calculation
• sys.atomspace_gc() - AtomSpace-aware garbage collection with detailed reporting

Process Control & Monitoring

• sys.process_info() - Comprehensive process statistics (CPU time, context switches, RSS)
• sys.get_pid() - Process ID retrieval
• sys.set_priority() - Process priority adjustment
• sys.adjust_cognitive_priority() - Adaptive priority based on system memory pressure

Performance Benchmarking

• sys.benchmark_operation() - Performance measurement for cognitive operations with memory and CPU delta tracking
• sys.cognitive_stats() - Combined cognitive processing statistics

Distributed Processing Support

• sys.get_network_info() - Network and hostname information for node identification
• sys.create_node_id() - Generate unique node identifiers for distributed AtomSpace
• sys.atomic_write_file() - Thread-safe atomic file operations for data synchronization

Logging & Configuration

• sys.log_cognitive_event() - Structured logging with automatic memory/CPU context
• sys.set_opencog_param() / sys.get_opencog_param() - Configuration parameter management
• sys.check_resource_limits() - Resource limit monitoring and health checks

Technical Improvements

Torch Dependency Removal

Replaced Torch-specific dependencies with standard Lua functionality:

• Created minimal paths.lua module with essential path manipulation functions
• Updated sys.uname() to use system commands instead of FFI
• Fixed module loading paths for standalone operation

Enhanced C Library

Extended the native C library (sys.c) with new system functions:

• Memory monitoring using getrusage() and sysinfo()
• Process information gathering
• Priority control
• Garbage collection integration

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Maintained Windows/Linux/macOS compatibility while adding UNIX-specific optimizations for OpenCog's typical deployment environments.

Example Usage

local sys = require('sys')

-- Monitor AtomSpace memory usage
local memory = sys.monitor_memory()
print("AtomSpace RSS:", memory.process_rss_mb, "MB")
print("System pressure:", memory.memory_pressure, "%")

-- Benchmark cognitive operations
local result = sys.benchmark_operation("atom_creation", function(count)
    -- Create atoms...
    return create_atoms(count)
end, 1000)

-- Adaptive system management
sys.adjust_cognitive_priority(80)  -- Lower priority if >80% memory pressure

-- Distributed node coordination
local node_id = sys.create_node_id()
sys.atomic_write_file("/shared/atomspace.dat", serialized_data)

Testing

Added comprehensive test suite (test_opencog_functions.lua) that validates all new functionality including memory monitoring, process control, benchmarking, network utilities, and atomic operations.

This implementation provides OpenCog with essential system-level utilities for memory management, performance optimization, distributed coordination, and operational monitoring while maintaining backward compatibility with existing code.

💡 You can make Copilot smarter by setting up custom instructions, customizing its development environment and configuring Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. Learn more Copilot coding agent tips in the docs.