UNIX Internals: The New Frontiers (Paperback)

by Uresh Vahalia (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This book offers an exceptionally up-to-date, in-depth, and broad-based exploration of the latest advances in UNIX-based operating systems. Focusing on the design and implementation of the operating system itself — not on the applications and tools that run on it -- this book compares and analyzes the alternatives offered by several important UNIX variants, and covers several advanced subjects, such as multi-processors and threads. Compares several important UNIX variants—highlighting the issues and alternative solutions for various operating system components. Describes advanced technologies such as multiprocessor and multithreaded systems, log- structured file systems, and modern memory architecture.

From the Publisher
This text offers an exceptionally up-to-date, in-depth, and broad-based exploration of the latest advances in UNIX-based operating systems. Focusing on the design and implementation of the operating system itself -- not on the applications and tools that run on it -- the text/reference compares and analyzes the alternatives offered by several important UNIX variants, and covers several advanced subjects, such as multi-processors and threads.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 601 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (November 2, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131019082
• ISBN-13: 978-0131019089
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #200,422 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellant book on Unix Intenal, advanced and updated, June 5, 1998

By A Customer

I am very surprised that this book is largely get overlooked by Unix society. I read this book for over 2 years, I'm still frequently revisit it. The beautities of the book are 1. The information is up-to-date, a lot of information is summarized from latest Usenix proceedings 2. Topics involved are moderate to advanced, assuming you have enough basic knowledge on Unix Internals, such as those from BACH's book. So it focused on SMP, threaded kernel, virtual file system/journal FS. VM/Fs integration. It fillin the gap for those reader who need to know the progress of current Unixes of current Unixes since mid 80's 3. Solutions and comparisions. The author detailed different solutions on flavour of Unixes, including BSD, SVR4, Solaris (although derived from SVR4), OSF, and the legend MACH. This is the gem of the book, it outlined pro and con of each solution that brodened user's mind. 4. Well balanced contents. The author keep well balance between mechanism and implementaion detail, so that it is detail enough for reader to grasp the essence algorithm but not embroil into topic-irrevalant mess that may distract reader's attention.

This is a fasinating Unix internal book on market that can take the reader into the Unixes forest, in the meantime, keep readers a clear view about the forest evolution and landscape.

The book is not for Unix beginner.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best operating systems book in existence, November 14, 2003

By	Valerie Henson (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A certain small and select set of books can be found in any serious programmer's library. "UNIX Internals" is one of those books.

I originally encountered "UNIX Internals" in my undergraduate operating systems class. At the time, I liked it, but I didn't really appreciate its full beauty until I re-read it with a few years of operating systems experience under my belt. I work as an operating systems programmer for a living, and whenever my knowledge needs brushing up, I go back to this book.

Uresh Vahalia does an excellent job of comparing and analyzing the approaches taken by different operating systems, rather than merely describing them. His deep understanding of the topic is what really sets this book apart. In addition, it is well written, conveniently organized, and thoroughly indexed. If you really want to understand operating systems, this is the perfect book for you.

As others have noted, this book is not for the beginner. You should probably have a minimum of three years of computer science experience before picking this book up.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really deserves 5 stars!!!, August 15, 1999

By A Customer

If you want to know how the Unix kernel works, and doesn't work, you need this book. Published in 1996 about "The New Frontiers", most of the "new" ideas are in current (1999) production systems. Vahalia is an excellent writer. The book is well organized and clearly written. Covers Sys V, BSD, Mach kernels and design tradeoffs. Threads, multiprocessors, IPC, lightweight processes, etc, it's all here. Excellent bibliography and references.