Understanding The Linux Kernel

What Hacker News says

1. GalanweNov 2023
   Considering and size and complexity of the Linux kernel, I don't think any amount of source code comments would help you much, unless you already have a strong understanding of the underlying subsystem you want to hack on.

   "Understanding the Linux kernel", and "Linux device drivers" are pretty good, pragmatic books IMHO to give you a solid understanding of most useful subsystem.

   As for this kernel building script, I guess it could be handy, but unless you're hacking very frequently I never found the actual build of the kernel to be the more cumbersome part.

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2. gintoMay 2023
   Linux Core Kernel Commentary: Guide to Insider's Knowledge on the Core Kernel of the Linux Code

   https://www.amazon.com/Linux-Core-Kernel-Commentary-Knowledg...

   Understanding the Linux Kernel, Third Edition 3rd Edition

   https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Linux-Kernel-Third-Dani...

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3. watersbJun 2021
   I picked up a paper 2nd edition of "Understanding the Linux Kernel" from the free shelf at my local library. It spends about half of the book discussing the 32-bit x86 architecture... The other half is data structures. Very nice index of every system call discussed.

     While ten year old computer books are considered obsolete, systems architecture books may actually be better at documenting the motivation behind design decisions.
   

   So if you happen upon this discussion thread, you might find it useful.

   https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/understanding-the-linux...

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4. xelxebarOct 2020
   "Understanding the Linux Kernel", by Bovet and Cesati, has a pretty nice section at the beginning that discusses bootup. Of course, the discussion of the Linux kernel boot sequence is extremely nice and detailed, but there is also a nice appendix that gives a pretty decent overview of the pre-kernel stuff, too.

   Crucially, for x86, you will need to understand segmentation and paging, which Bovet and Cesati discuss at length. Highly recommended.

   It's quite fun to download the 2.6 sources yourself and dig in the code along as you read. The book makes it quite easy to find the relevant files.

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5. yourbandsucksAug 2019
   The O'Reilly book Understanding The Linux Kernel is fantastic. Starts you off in the deep end with memory management/addressing and fans out from there. Notably excludes networking, as the book is long enough without it.
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6. senozhatskyNov 2018
   Speaking of the Linux kernel related books, I'd probably mention, Understanding The Linux Kernel [0] and Linux Kernel Development [1]. The LDDv4 is not going to happen any time soon; it seems there are no plans for a new edition at all.

     [0] https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Linux-Kernel-Third-Daniel/dp/0596005652
     [1] https://www.amazon.com/Linux-Kernel-Development-Robert-Love/dp/0672329468
   

   -ss
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