Operating System: Internals and Design Principles

This book is about the concepts, structures, and mechanisms of operating systems. Its purpose is to present, as clearly and completely as possible, the nature and characteristics of modern-day operating systems. Ths task is challenging for several reasons. First, there is a tremendous range and variety of computer systems for which operating systems are designed. These include single-user workstations and personal coputers, medium-sized shared systems, large mainframe and supercomputers, and specialized machin es such as real-time systems. The variety is not just in the capacity and speed of machines, nut in applicaitons and system support requirements. Second, the rapid pace of change that has always charaterized computer systems continues with no letup. A number of key areas in operating system design are of recent origin, and research into these and other new areas continues. In spite of this variety and pace of change, certain fundamental contepts apply consiently througout. To be sure, the application of these concepts depends on te current state of technology and the particular application requirements. The intent of this book is to provide a thorough discussion of the fundamentals of operating system design and to relate these to contemporary design issues and to current directions in the development of operating systems.