Operating Systems (Computer Science) [Hardcover]

Stuart E. Madnick (Author), John J. Donovan (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill College; 1st edition (October 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070394555
• ISBN-13: 978-0070394551
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #510,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, March 14, 2006

By 

A Reader (Sikeston, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Operating Systems (Computer Science) (Hardcover)

Thirty years ago, Madnick and Donovan were respected profs at MIT and this book is based on class tested material on operating system theory and design. It is largely based on the IBM MVS OS implemented on the IBM 360 architecture, two of the finest achievements in computer history.

The book covers the fundamentals of OS design, including memory, processor, device, and data management with lots of discussion on the pros and cons of design choices and problem/question sets to make the reader think through design alternatives.

The specifics relating to hardware constraints are obsolete, but the book serves to remind one of the logic and efficiency of true operating systems.

By contrast, the grotesque travesty of an OS called "DOS/Windows" reminds one of the illogic and gross inefficiency of a design based on marketing campaigns of prettified appearances. If the Windows authors had read Madnick's book we'd all be better off computing today.

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book for operating systems, February 24, 2009

By 

Krasen Davidov - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Operating Systems (Computer Science) (Hardcover)

This book must be read from everybody who wants to know what is operating system (OS). The fact that the samples included in the book is for old computers (IBM/360 ) does not matter. After reading this book the reader will understand are modern OS really OS.

1 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Microsoft lackey, May 2, 2002

By 

Bob Hoskins - See all my reviews

This review is from: Operating Systems (Computer Science) (Hardcover)

This book is written by the guy who appeared as an expert witness for MS in the anti-trust proceedings. When asked by a government prosecutor if he knew of any operating systems (other than MS brand OS's) that would cease functioning if you removed the browser component (as MS claims for Windows) he replied, "Yes. KDE".
Of course, as the government prosecutor pointed out, KDE isn't an OS, but a desktop environment that runs on Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. Pressed for other examples, he replied, "Uhh, GNOME?" GNOME is, of course, KDE's major competition as a Unix desktop. In this context, Madnick might as well have just blurted out "KDE" again.
Consider this an object lesson in what can happen to your credibility if you sell yourself to tell someone else's lies for them.

(btw, I haven't read this book & never will. I just thought any prospective buyers should know the preceding bit of info)