Protected Mode Software Architecture [Paperback]

MindShare Inc. (Author), Tom Shanley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 020155447X | ISBN-13: 978-0201554472 | Publication Date: March 16, 1996 | Edition: 1

Protected Mode Software Architecture helps readers understandthe problems that single-task and multitasking operating systems must dealwith, and then examines each component of both the real and protected modesoftware architectures. This book is organized into three parts. Part One:Background introduces the reader to the problems faced by a multitaskingoperating system. Part Two: Register Set and Real Mode provides anoverview of Real Mode operation. Part Three: Protected Mode takes abuilding-block approach to explaining the protection mechanisms andmultitasking capabilities of the post-286 Intel processors, includingsegmentation, virtual paging, the flat model, and virtual 8086 mode.Protected Mode Software Architecture extends MindShare's coverage ofx86 processor architecture to the software environment and complements thepreviously published 80486 System Architecture and Pentium ProcessorSystem Architecture (both from Addison-Wesley). If you design or test multitasking operating systems, real-time operatingsystems, or device drivers for these systems, Protected Mode SoftwareArchitecture is an essential, time-saving tool.The PC System Architecture Series is a crisply written and comprehensiveset of guides to the most important PC hardware standards. Each title isdesigned to illustrate the relationship between the software and hardware andthoroughly explains the architecture, features, and operations of systems builtusing one particular type of chip or hardware specification.MindShare, Inc., is one of the leading technical training companies in thecomputer industry, providing innovative courses for dozens of companies,including Intel, IBM, and Compaq. 020155447XB04062001

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Protected Mode Software Architecture helps readers understandthe problems that single-task and multitasking operating systems must dealwith, and then examines each component of both the real and protected modesoftware architectures. This book is organized into three parts. Part One:Background introduces the reader to the problems faced by a multitaskingoperating system. Part Two: Register Set and Real Mode provides anoverview of Real Mode operation. Part Three: Protected Mode takes abuilding-block approach to explaining the protection mechanisms andmultitasking capabilities of the post-286 Intel processors, includingsegmentation, virtual paging, the flat model, and virtual 8086 mode.

Protected Mode Software Architecture extends MindShare's coverage ofx86 processor architecture to the software environment and complements thepreviously published 80486 System Architecture and Pentium ProcessorSystem Architecture (both from Addison-Wesley).

If you design or test multitasking operating systems, real-time operatingsystems, or device drivers for these systems, Protected Mode SoftwareArchitecture is an essential, time-saving tool.

The PC System Architecture Series is a crisply written and comprehensiveset of guides to the most important PC hardware standards. Each title isdesigned to illustrate the relationship between the software and hardware andthoroughly explains the architecture, features, and operations of systems builtusing one particular type of chip or hardware specification.

MindShare, Inc., is one of the leading technical training companies in thecomputer industry, providing innovative courses for dozens of companies,including Intel, IBM, and Compaq.

020155447XB04062001

About the Author

MindShare, Inc. is one of the leading technical training companies in the hardware industry, providing innovative courses for dozens of companies, including Intel, IBM, and Compaq.

020155447XAB07142003

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 1 edition (March 16, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020155447X
• ISBN-13: 978-0201554472
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #552,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > Microprocessor Design

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding reference book in Protected Mode ., August 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Protected Mode Software Architecture (Paperback)

I found this book very helpful for the followings :

- Those who studied real mode for Intel microprocessors and want to move to protected mode . - Those who studied assembly language for DOS and want to move in depth into assembly language for protected mode operating systems like windows .This is the first step . - Those who studied single task OS and want to move to Multi-task OS .

To understand this book you will need to know : - The architecture of any of Intel microprocessors starting from 8086 / 8088 . - The basics of assembly language for DOS ( Addressing mode , Segmentation , Interrupts )

Note that the book is comprehensive and full of details but fortunately you can skip the details and study the concepts of each chapter without affecting the ability to understand the next chapters .

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mindshare series, June 21, 2003

By 

Nitin (Sunnyvale, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Protected Mode Software Architecture (Paperback)

The mindshare series of books is a great way to get started on something new, and this book is no exception. Tom Shanley is renowned for his clear, concise and to-the-point descriptions. Use this book if you want to get work done. Use intel manuals if you have the time to read through tons of corporate language.

This is why I strongly disagree with the reviewers who have given it 1 star claiming it is rephrased intel manuals. This is true for all mindshare books. Would you rather learn PCI using PCI 2.0 spec or by reading through a few chapters of mindshare PCI book? The same argument applies here. If you quickly want to get up and running with protected mode, read this book. Use the manuals for the details if (rarely) needed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Material and Reference, March 24, 2003

By 

Keith D. Fralick (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Protected Mode Software Architecture (Paperback)

I really found this book to be very helpful. Some have stated that you can get this information from Intel and, of course you can. Just like most technical books of this type, you can get the information for free else where. Regardless of this, I would prefer to have this book over the Intel documents. It's easier to find things, I don't have to spend time printing it, and it cuts out on most of the useless garbage.

It is very simple and direct. It's an excellent resource for both reference and understanding. Some of also stated in previous reviews that this has 'meandering' discussions on what an OS should be. Most all resources of this nature have some bias in design (as they should). However, this bias does not destroy the quality of the book at all, it complements it.

Unless you're writing an Operating System or are curious about how interaction with the Intel microprocessor works (paging, task-switching, etc.), then this book isn't for you. If you are, however, then I would consider this book essential.