4 Best-Selling Kernel Extensions Books Millions Love

Drawing from his extensive experience as lead architect of the IA-64 Linux kernel, David Mosberger offers an in-depth look at how Linux adapts to the IA-64 platform's unique architecture. You’ll explore detailed explanations of kernel subsystems such as processes, threads, virtual memory, and symmetric multiprocessing, gaining insights into the interfaces that abstract platform differences. The book also sheds light on bootstrapping and I/O operations specific to IA-64, making it a technical guide that delves far beyond general Linux kernel topics. If you’re involved with kernel development or need to understand IA-64 Linux internals, this book provides a rigorous, methodical resource.

What happens when a recognized operating systems expert teams up with a seasoned kernel architect? Ole Henry Halvorsen and Douglas Clarke deliver a hands-on guide that demystifies the XNU kernel running Apple devices. You’ll gain command over memory management, thread synchronization, and the I/O Kit framework, enabling you to develop kernel extensions like device drivers for USB, Thunderbolt, networking, storage, and audio. The book balances deep technical insight with practical examples, including kernel debugging and profiling tools, making it valuable whether you’re a student, hobbyist, or seasoned engineer aiming to write efficient, hardware-interacting kernel code.

This tailored book explores the art and science of mastering kernel extensions with a focus on your unique background and goals. It covers essential concepts such as kernel architecture, extension development, debugging techniques, and integration challenges, all matched to your current skill level and interests. By zeroing in on proven methods combined with your individual learning priorities, this book reveals the nuances of kernel extension programming in a way that resonates deeply with your experience. It also examines real-world examples and practical challenges, offering a personalized pathway through complex technical territory that aligns with your objectives. This personalized approach ensures you gain relevant, directly applicable knowledge that enhances your development skills efficiently.

Drawing from extensive expertise in engineering and system modeling, Hiren Patel and Sandeep Kumar Shukla explore how SystemC can evolve into a versatile platform for heterogeneous system modeling. This book delves into extending SystemC kernels to support multi-model-of-computation (MoC) frameworks, addressing complexities in hardware/software co-design and embedded hardware. You’ll gain insights into the practical challenges of system-level abstraction and methods to integrate diverse modeling approaches under a unified framework. Ideal for engineers working on complex embedded systems, this text offers a technical foundation rather than introductory explanations, so it suits those familiar with system modeling concepts.

What started as Jonathan Levin's deep dive into Apple's operating systems evolved into a detailed exploration of user mode internals in macOS and iOS. You’ll gain insight into the layered architecture of these systems, understand private frameworks and libraries, and explore how applications, process and thread management, and memory work behind the scenes. Levin's focus on reverse engineering, complemented by code decompilation and real-world examples, equips you with a nuanced understanding of Mach messaging, launchd, XPC internals, and advanced debugging techniques. This book suits developers and system architects who want to grasp Apple's user mode kernel extensions from the ground up, going beyond surface-level knowledge.