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I'd think that Tanenbaum's book Operating Systems: Design and Implementation (OSDI) and the included MINIX3 source would be high on the list of reading for any

I'd think that Tanenbaum's book Operating Systems: Design and Implementation (OSDI) and the included MINIX3 source would be high on the list of reading for any kernel-curious developers.

Locke1689 17y ago
Good, but a little outdated. For general systems overview, as well as introduction to UNIX architecture, I'd actually recommend my textbook, which is the CMU intro systems book, Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective[1]. For OS theory, our OS/advanced OS textbooks are fine, but for actual implementation my coworkers recommended The Design of the UNIX Operating System[2], Linux System Programming[3], and Understanding the Linux Kernel[4]. [1] http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Systems-Programmers-Randal-Bryant/dp/013034074X http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Systems-Programmers-Randal-Br... [2] http://www.amazon.com/Design-Operating-System-Prentice-Software/dp/0132017997 http://www.amazon.com/Design-Operating-System-Prentice-Softw... [3] http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596009588/ http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596009588/ [4] http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596005658/ http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596005658/
- ericmc 17y ago
  I also recommend Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective to anyone who wants an intro to systems. One of the best textbooks I've read.
- michael_dorfman 17y ago
  Outdated? I thought the Linux Kernel was outdated in comparison. The Minix kernel was rewritten from scratch in 2006 for version 3.
  - Locke1689 17y ago
    OSDI (2nd) was written in 1997, perhaps you were thinking of this? http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Operating-Systems-3rd-GOAL/dp/0136006639/ref=pd_sim_b_1 http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Operating-Systems-3rd-GOAL/dp/0... Minix 3 is a whole different ball game though. It's an interesting kernel with some interesting ideas, but I still recommend Linux as it's both more popular and reflects the majority of UNIX design decisions today. Even the OSs with praise for microkernel design tend to incorporate a number of monolithic features. EDIT: Sorry! I had no idea there was a Third Edition of OSDI out http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/academic/product/0,,0131429388,00%2ben-USS_01DBC.html http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/academic/product/0,,.... However, I should mention that I meant those Linux books to be read in conjunction with the kernel code -- the book is still valid today despite the additions to the kernel in the past couple years.
    - michael_dorfman 17y ago
      The 3rd edition of OSDI is definitely worth reading. The MINIX3 kernel is only 4000 lines of code; very clean, and easy to wrap your head around.

I'd think that Tanenbaum's book Operating Systems: Design and Implementation (OSDI) and the included MINIX3 source would be high on the list of reading for any kernel-curious developers.

Locke1689 17y ago

Good, but a little outdated. For general systems overview, as well as introduction to UNIX architecture, I'd actually recommend my textbook, which is the CMU intro systems book, Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective[1]. For OS theory, our OS/advanced OS textbooks are fine, but for actual implementation my coworkers recommended The Design of the UNIX Operating System[2], Linux System Programming[3], and Understanding the Linux Kernel[4]. [1] http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Systems-Programmers-Randal-Bryant/dp/013034074X http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Systems-Programmers-Randal-Br... [2] http://www.amazon.com/Design-Operating-System-Prentice-Software/dp/0132017997 http://www.amazon.com/Design-Operating-System-Prentice-Softw... [3] http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596009588/ http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596009588/ [4] http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596005658/ http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596005658/

ericmc 17y ago
I also recommend Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective to anyone who wants an intro to systems. One of the best textbooks I've read.
michael_dorfman 17y ago
Outdated? I thought the Linux Kernel was outdated in comparison. The Minix kernel was rewritten from scratch in 2006 for version 3.
- Locke1689 17y ago
  OSDI (2nd) was written in 1997, perhaps you were thinking of this? http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Operating-Systems-3rd-GOAL/dp/0136006639/ref=pd_sim_b_1 http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Operating-Systems-3rd-GOAL/dp/0... Minix 3 is a whole different ball game though. It's an interesting kernel with some interesting ideas, but I still recommend Linux as it's both more popular and reflects the majority of UNIX design decisions today. Even the OSs with praise for microkernel design tend to incorporate a number of monolithic features. EDIT: Sorry! I had no idea there was a Third Edition of OSDI out http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/academic/product/0,,0131429388,00%2ben-USS_01DBC.html http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/academic/product/0,,.... However, I should mention that I meant those Linux books to be read in conjunction with the kernel code -- the book is still valid today despite the additions to the kernel in the past couple years.
  - michael_dorfman 17y ago
    The 3rd edition of OSDI is definitely worth reading. The MINIX3 kernel is only 4000 lines of code; very clean, and easy to wrap your head around.