This chapter looks at the famed operating system abstraction of the process. Topics covered include the generalities of the process, why it is important, and the relationship between processes and threads. Specifically, this chapter covers how Linux stores and represents processes.
Linux Kernel Process Management
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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Robert Love is one of the best writers I ever seen. His text books are always very easy to understand and follow. Great job.
I wish he dedicate more time on writing books, instead of hacking kernel 🙂
*rofl*
I daresay, kernel hacking is more fun. *grins*
Stay safe 🙂
If Linux treats threads as processes, what mechanisms are used to synchronize activity? Signals? Semaphores? OS’s with explicit thread support allow locking mechanisms (mutexes, CriticalSections, etc) that are lightweight with respect to the process. Linux may have fast process creation times but isn’t that for naught if a “heavyweight” locking mechanism is used? Anyone with multi-threading Linux experience care to comment? Thanks
Have you read the book? I’m not a Linux Kernel hacker, but I loved the book. He goes into great detail and I was rarely confused as to what he meant. I was impressed at a lot of the solutions devised by the kernel hackers.