Linux Core Kernel Commentary

What Hacker News says

1. al2o3crJul 2024
   It's not at all "new" anymore (published 1999), but if you enjoy source-code commentary then check out ISBN 978-1576104699 - "Linux Core Kernel Commentary: Guide to Insider's Knowledge on the Core Kernel of the Linux Code"

   Very similar approach to Lions. There's a second volume that covers the networking stack as well.

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2. alfiedotwtfMay 2022
   Also Maxwell's "Linux Core Kernel Commentary" which also annotates the kernel. It's old so is based on 2.2, but its a gold mine
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3. tmztOct 2020
   I picked up this book in a bookstore years ago, still have it on my shelf.

   The Linux Core Kernel Commentary [1]

   It takes only the parts of the kernel you need to understand, leaving out the drivers, device classes, and much of te ancillary pieces. For the parts it chooses, it goes through them line by line and follows the boot process, explains the concepts of a Unix and SYSV-like kernel.

   The 15M lines becomes much less intractible.

   [1] https://books.google.com/books/about/Linux_Core_Kernel_Comme...

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4. alfiedotwtfAug 2019
   For the Linux kernel, there is an excellent book called "Linux Core Kernel Commentary" (which is based off the SVR4 Lion's Commentary book), which has the source of the kernel (an old version) printed out and then a commentary on all the bits (code and data structures). It was an eye opener for me.

   As for OS theory, "Operating Systems Vade Macum" and "Operating Systems Design and Implementation" are my favorites.

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5. alfiedotwtfAug 2019
   I've commented below... there's an old book called "Linux Core Kernel Commentary" which is based on the Lion's book. It's a great read.

   There's a Xinu book which is similar, but without the accompanying source code.

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6. CyberFonicSep 2015
   I too learnt C from K&R. It is good for coming to grips with the language. Coming from Python, you might have to come to grips with pointers, typedefs, structs, etc.

   Once you have the basics sorted, the real learning comes from reading some open source project. There are lot of conventions and patterns in use. They are dictated by the compiler (and other tools) being used and the project's conventions.

   Personally I learnt a great deal from studying Unix kernel sources from the John Lions books. A more modern equivalent is "Linux Core Kernel Commentary".

   Once you read up on different open source projects, you will see that there is no one way of using C.

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