The Linux Programming Interface

What an incredible resource for the Linux community! I'm an Oracle DBA, that has always been interested in the lower-level stuff (I/O, system calls, etc.). I was researching Oracle ASM (Oracle's own volume manager), but feeling the need to get more insight into the Linux I/O subsystem. So, I went to Amazon, started searching for relevant resources, and came across this book. I've bought thousands of dollars of technical books on Amazon, and read lots of Amazon reviews. When I bought this book, it had 61 reviews. 60 rated the book a 5 star, and 1 rated the book a 4-star. I have *never* seen a book rated so highly on Amazon before. A book, with incredible ratings like that, was simply unheard of. I'm now reading the book, and thoroughly enjoying the care, the attention to detail, the comprehensiveness, the technical accuracy, the methodology, the extremely well-written English, the clear explanations, and the well-written code. For example, on page 246, where Michael discusses Direct I/O, he says: "If a file is opened with O_DIRECT by one process, and opened normally (i.e. so that the buffer cache is used) by another process, then there is no coherency between the contents of the buffer cache and the data read or written via direct I/O. Such scenarios should be avoided." Wow. In just one sentence, Michael tells us one of the fundamental issues with concurrent I/O, and that by simultaneously using different I/O mechanisms, you can corrupt your files. Another example: on page 249, Michael writes: "When using the stdio library functions in conjunction with I/O system calls to perform I/O on disk files, we must keep buffering issues in mind. I/O system calls transfer data directly to the kernel buffer cache, while the stdio library waits until the stream's user-space buffer is full before calling write() to transfer the buffer to the kernel buffer cache." Wow. It makes sense, when you know as much about the Linux kernel as Michael does. Need to insert an fflush() between the stdio write and the system call write. Another "Aha!" moment, just a couple of pages later. And the pages in between had one of the clearest examples of code for Direct I/O that I have ever seen. Michael even writes about the memory alignment challenges of Direct I/O. It's simply incredible! How in the world could anyone write so much high-quality technical stuff? It's 1500+ pages of awe inspiring, amazing technical blessing. It is a fabulous example to everyone in the I.T. industry, and a very high bar for any technical books to come. Thank you, Michael, for your incredible book.

I have read a lot of technical books (principally windows and c++ related) and really I have NEVER seen a technical book as well written as this one. The book has all the quality I always wanted: 1) it must be thorough: after reading you shouldn't need to read other book or search the web to complete your comprehension: every info you need must be there. 2) it must be clear: there should never be any ambiguity in expressions or situation that requires you to test the info on specific example. You must be able to understand it on first the first reading 3) it must be a pleasant journey: the order of the information should match the normal flow of your thinking and interrogations. The author should guide you so that when you think: "I wonder what would happen in this different situation", the next paragraphs do address that interrogation you have. Again this book does all this extremely well. There is simply no equivalent in the windows world. It makes me learning linux a very pleasant experience. Many many thanks Mr Kerrisk

I haven't read the book but I know this book is like bible for the linux world. So let me share other aspect of this book. 1.) I received the book in excellent condition except very minor damage from the bottom (refer last uploaded image). Initially when I have received the book I thought book is dameged from the front and sides but after cleaning with wipes it was all good 😊 2.) I have spent 5k+ on this book but trust me its worth. First of all, this is imported from US. Quality of pages and printing are superb. It has roughly 1.5k pages and 2.5 kg weight so price is justified. Still i would suggest seller to use better packaging or to use bubble wrap if possible.

Excelente livro, já estava lendo o pdf dele na internet por isso resolvi compra-lo, muito bom como referência.

Vraiment complet, je trouve toujours tout ce que j'ai besoin, et rapidement