Understanding Operating Systems

by Ida M. Flynn, Ann McIver-McHoes

This text provides a basic understanding of operating systems theory, a comparison of the major operating systems in use, and a description of the technical and operational tradeoffs inherent in each. The effective two-part organization covers the theory of operating systems, their historical roots, and their conceptual basis culminating with how these theories are applied in the specifics of five operating systems.

Genres: Computer Science, Technology, Computers, Textbooks

448 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a book that will more than likely fail to impart understanding about operating systems, no matter the background of the reader.

In the preface, the authors describe their goal as "[explaining] a very technical subject in a not- so-technical manner, putting the concepts of operating systems into words that many readers can quickly grasp." A few sentences later, they say "For readers with more technical backgrounds, this text introduces the subject concisely, describing the complexities of operating systems without going into intricate detail." Is it possible to meaningfully describe complexity without going into [intricate] detail? This book is filled with oxymorons and contradictions.

Again from the preface, "To do so, we’ve made some assumptions about our audiences. First, we assume the readers have some familiarity with computing systems. Second, we assume they have a working knowledge of how to use an operating system and how it interacts with them. We recommend (although we don’t require) that readers be familiar with at least one operating system." If a portion of the audience is assumed to have familiarity with operating systems (at what level? as a user? as a computer science student?) why are the authors so determined to avoid going into deeper detail about how OSes work -- if the book is titled, "Understanding Operating Systems"?! And isn't familiarity with OSes synonymous with having basic working knowledge of how to use at least one OS? The verbosity of the preface foreshadows the verbosity found throughout the book - ideas which only require a few sentences to explain are allocated multiple pages of explanations which are difficult to decipher due to the lack of precision in the language and an averseness to going into detail.

There are so many more issues with the book (illogical ordering of explanations when presenting new ideas, chapter bundling of sparsely related topics in what seems to be an attempt to pad book length, outdated technologies (even in 2018) being introduced in the present tense as if they are still in use, no mention of any concepts which first and second year university CS and engineering students should be familiar with from their CS and electronics courses) but unlike some books which are good but flawed -- and for which criticism can be insightful -- this one seems irredeemable. An absolute nightmare to read with hardly anything useful to offer.

[Loris · Rating 2 out of 5]

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. · Rating 1 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

Probably enjoyed it.

[Janrey Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best . .

[Abdullah Sagar · Rating 5 out of 5]

its fantastic

[Fahim Hamid]

best