Understanding Operating Systems

by Ann McIver McHoes

This fourth edition blends operating systems theory and practice in a well-organized way. Its innovative two-part approach explores operating systems theory and development in the first section, and discusses the four most widely-used operating systems (MS-DOS, Windows, Linux, and UNIX) in the second. Each chapter has been updated for currency, and a brand-new chapter on System Security has been added.

Genres: Computer Science, Technology, Computers, Textbooks

555 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Loris]

I kept forgetting what I’d just read: the explanations of the core concepts were often too padded and abstract, and I simply couldn’t create an organized mental model of a bare-bone operating system.
On top of that, I found a good number of modules unnecessary, such as the one describing the difference between process-based and object-based distributed OS and the one about patch management.
Overall, given the high price of the book, it wasn’t a good deal.

[Daniel D.]

Quite a few inaccuracies and a lot of it does not quite match what actually happened in those earlier years. It feels like an isolated tech journalist wrote part of it based or their impressions. Minor issues from covering Microsoft’s “First” true windows OS with no mention of NT or OS/2 to very vague sections of DO/S’s, using terms and acronyms that really did not exist or were actively used by the industry at large. Not worth the very expensive price.

[Anshul Thakur]

‘Understanding Operating Systems’ is for everyone, the uninitiated (like me) who have been using computers for years but never quite knew what makes this machine tick and the technical ones who already know it and want to brush up their knowledge. It presents a very technical subject in a not-so-technical manner which is not only relatable but creates a lasting impression on the readers mind. The authors present the concepts with a fun attitude while maintaining a constant flow to things such that the next topic is but an obvious consequence to its preceding topic. A good book and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Read the complete review at Aesthetic Blasphemy (Click here)

[Lynn Azar]

Very good book for anyone who is having trouble wondering WHY computers are somewhat complex.

[Brendan]

Currently reading, but it is really in depth, it's well written, and has a lot of information (perhaps too much, but then it is a technical manual).

[Peter]

(read this before Goodreads, added this review years after reading the book)

Probably enjoyed it.

[Janrey Ian]

the best . .

[Abdullah Sagar]

its fantastic

[Fahim Hamid]

best