Sebastopol, CA--Nearly all programmers at some point have to deal with the system calls and libraries of the operating system on which their programs run. And author and kernel hacker Robert Love aims to make their programming jobs easier. His new book--Linux System Programming (O'Reilly, $49.99)--focuses on writing system software for Linux--code that lives at a low level, and talks directly to the kernel and core system libraries. It also describes the functions and performance trade-offs in using standard interfaces, including advanced Linux-only interfaces.
Love, who works in Google's Open Source Program Office, explains that he wanted a book that provides a discussion on and reference of Unix system programming, but specifically tailored to Linux. "How is Linux different? What Linux-only interfaces does it provide? I wanted Linux-specific optimizations. I wanted to know how the Linux kernel and glibc (Linux's C library) actually implemented the routines I used. I did not want to read about how System V did things a decade ago, or about how standard Y and standard Z agree on something, but no one listens, anyhow. I wanted a book solely on Linux. I believed such a tome would be useful no matter where someone programmed in the Linux stack."
In his insider's guide to writing smarter, faster code, Love explains not only how system interfaces should work, but also how they actually work, and how to use them safely and efficiently. Linux System Programming contains tricks to help you write better code at any level.
Topics covered include:
- Reading from and writing to files and other file I/O operations, including how the Linux kernel implements and manages file I/O, memory mappings, and optimization techniques
- System calls for process management, including real-time processes
- File and directories--creating, moving, copying, deleting, and managing them
- Memory management--interfaces for allocating memory, managing memory, and optimizing memory access
- Signals and their role on a Unix system, plus basic and advanced signal interfaces
- Time, sleeping, and clock management, starting with the basics, and covering POSIX clocks and high-resolution timers
With Linux System Programming, gives you an in-depth look at Linux from a theoretical and applied perspective to make the most effective use of your system.
Robert Love has been a Linux user and hacker since the early days. He is active in--and passionate about--the Linux kernel and GNOME desktop communities. His recent contributions to the Linux kernel include work on the kernel event layer and inotify. GNOME-related contributions include Beagle, GNOME Volume Manager, NetworkManager, and Project Utopia. Currently, Robert works in the Open Source Program Office at Google.
More information about the book, including table of contents, index, author bio, and samples
Linux System Programming: Talking Directly to the Kernel and C Library
Robert Love
ISBN: 0-596-00958-5, $49.99 USD
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938; 1-707-827-7000
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