Complete Analysis of the Linux Kernel

Author: Zhao Jiong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This book is an introductory read on the fundamental working principles of the Linux operating system kernel. It introduces the development history of the Linux system, then describes the hardware composition structure of PCs, the assembly language and C language extensions used in kernel development, and focuses on the programming methods for the 80x86 processor running in protected mode. It then provides a detailed introduction to the directory tree organization structure of the Linux kernel source code and comments on and explains in detail all kernel programs and files based on this structure. The book conducts a detailed analysis of all code files of the early Linux operating system kernel (v0.11), aiming to help readers gain a comprehensive and profound understanding of the working mechanisms of Linux in a relatively short time, laying a solid foundation for further learning and research on the Linux system. Although the selected version is relatively low, the kernel can still be compiled and run normally, and it includes the essence of the Linux working principles. The book first takes the evolution of the Linux source code version as the main thread, briefly introducing the development history of the Linux system, while emphasizing the main differences and improvements between various kernel versions, and explaining the reasons for choosing the v0.11 kernel source code as the research object. It then provides a concise introduction to the hardware composition structure of PCs, the assembly language and C language extensions used in kernel development, and focuses on the programming methods for the 80×86 processor running in protected mode. It then provides a detailed introduction to the directory tree organization structure of the Linux kernel source code and comments on and explains in detail all kernel programs and files based on this structure. To deepen readers' understanding of the kernel working principles, the last chapter of the book presents multiple experiments around the Linux v0.11 system. The relevant programs used in the experiments can all be downloaded from the companion website of the book (www.oldlinux.org). This book is suitable as supplementary and practical teaching material for computer science students in universities studying operating system courses, as self-study reference books for Linux enthusiasts learning the kernel working principles, and as reference books for general technicians developing embedded systems.