Learn Linux kernel programming, hands-on: a uniquely effective top-down approach

The Linux^® Kernel Primer is the definitive guide to Linux kernel programming. The authors' unique top-down approach makes kernel programming easier to understand by systematically tracing functionality from user space into the kernel and carefully associating kernel internals with user-level programming fundamentals. Their approach helps you build on what you already know about Linux, gaining a deep understanding of how the kernel works and how its elements fit together.

One step at a time, the authors introduce all the tools and assembly language programming techniques required to understand kernel code and control its behavior. They compare x86 and PowerPC implementations side-by-side, illuminating cryptic functionality through carefully-annotated source code examples and realistic projects. The Linux^® Kernel Primer is the first book to offer in-depth coverage of the rapidly growing PowerPC Linux development platform, and the only book to thoroughly discuss kernel configuration with the Linux build system. Coverage includes

• Data structures

• x86 and PPC assembly language

• Viewing kernel internals

• Linux process model

• User and kernel space

• Interrupts and exceptions

• Memory allocation and tracking

• Tracing subsystem behavior

• I/O interactions

• Filesystems and file operations

• Scheduling and synchronization

• Kernel boot process

• Kernel build system

• Configuration options

• Device drivers

• And more...

If you know C, this book teaches you all the skills and techniques you need to succeed with Linux kernel programming. Whether you're a systems programmer, software engineer, systems analyst, test professional, open source project contributor, or simply a Linux enthusiast, you'll find it indispensable.

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Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 12 Ratings

typos abound - 2007-01-26
Reviewer Rating:
A good basic intro to the linux kernel, pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I bought this to act as a primer before delving into Understanding the Linux Kernel, which is a much deeper and difficult work, and it's proved very satisfactory.

The major problem I have is that it seems not to have been proofread AT ALL. I have found at least a typo a page on average, and not just punctuation and spelling mistakes. Using the wrong name for a function, referring the reader to the wrong figure, chapter or section, that kind of typo. The design of the book (notational conventions, typefaces, how they display varible names vs. code blocks vs. normal text, etc) is quite inconsistent at times.

All in all, a good read, and a great intro, but very inconsistent and error-ridden; prepare to read it with oversight.

FINALLY - 2006-02-28
Reviewer Rating:
A book that steps through the important parts of the kernel and explains each point. Ive read other Linux kernel books before (ie: Oreillys Understanding the Linux kernel), and this book is by far the best read for the advanced user that has some programming experience and wants dive into tinkering around with the kernel.

Very easy to read, follow and understand. If you want to learn how Linux works, buy this book.

Beginning Linux Guy... - 2006-01-28
Reviewer Rating:
This is a pretty solid book for beginners... as to the reviewer who disapointed that this "only scratched the surface", perhaps he should look up what the definition of a primer is ...

prim+¦er
2. A book that covers the basic elements of a subject.

Dull presentation, badly proofread - 2008-01-25
Reviewer Rating:
The views expressed in this review are based on the Filesystems chapter. The book has a very dull presentation style. Kernel structures are listed and the important lines in them are explained. The explanation lacks sufficient detail in a lot of places. It also suffers from redundant, obvious statements (conveying no information) in other places. I could also spot several mistakes; figures drawn wrong, text referring to something that is not present in the figure etc...

Good book - 2010-04-01
Reviewer Rating:
I read Chapter 4 Memory Management, Chapter 7 Scheduling and Kernel Synchronization and Chapter 8. Booting the Kernel, I think this book works best as a memory refresher, it highlights some key point with example source code.

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