Linux Kernel Programming - Second Edition: A comprehensive and practical guide to kernel internals, writing modules, and kernel synchronization: Billimoria, Kaiwan N: 9781803232225: Amazon.com: Books

There are a few aspects about the book that I really like. One is that every chapter provides a very detailed and immersive look into a specific part of kernel development. Another interesting aspect about the book is that it is based on a very recent kernel version (6.1), which is also an LTS version that will be maintained for a few years. I am not aware of any other book about the Linux kernel based on such a recent version.The first 3 chapters of the book explains how to configure and build the Linux kernel (both natively for x86_64 and cross-compiling for AArch64). After that, chapters 4 and 5 explains all you need to know about how to write kernel modules. And starting from chapter 6, the book introduces different aspects of kernel programming in very detail, from the scheduler to memory management and synchronization. Get ready, because it is indeed a big book, with more than 800 pages!I really think the book targets both beginners and experts. For beginners, it will be a deep dive into major kernel programming concepts (make sure you follow along the exercises proposed by the author). For experienced kernel developers, the book is really a refresher. Though I work with the Linux kernel for 15 years, I can still learn a lot by reading the book. An old dog can always learn new tricks, right?

I enjoyed “Linux Kernel Programming, Second Edition” by Kaiwan N. Billimoria. The book’s layout is exceptionally well-organized, providing a balanced mix of theoretical knowledge and practical exercises. Each chapter begins with detailed explanations and is followed by exercises to test your understanding, questions to further assess your knowledge, and resources for additional reading if you wish to delve deeper.One of the standout features is the integration of a Discord community, which serves as an excellent resource for discussions, questions, and networking with fellow readers. This community support significantly enhances the learning experience.The book covers a wide range of topics, from setting up a kernel development environment to writing and debugging kernel modules. The hands-on approach, with numerous code examples and practical tips, makes it a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced developers looking to deepen their understanding of Linux kernel internals.Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Linux kernel programming. It’s a comprehensive and practical guide that is sure to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Great book to keep you updated about upstream Linux

I found this book as impacting me as LDD (by Rubini etc) has been in its days, a de-facto standard established to the point that people keep searching for LDD4/LDD5 to these days, that much desirable.Since LDD3 the last update on 2.6, this book (as well as kernel debugging and hands-on systems programming) is a valuable source of information for modern kernels 5 and 6 for a few years to come.Knowledgeable and easy to follow, captivating attention to keep on reading it through, impressive for a technical book. LDD4 has now found reincarnated, thank you very much for all the effort composing it!

I really could not be happier with the pace and level of detail this book provides. I am a very surface-level Linux user and I wanted to dive in head first. I often find that when I learn about something that I consider really hard or intimidating in tech, I get better at day-to-day use of the tools and my confidence grows. This book is a real confidence-booster if you crave the knowledge of how things work under the hood.