The Linux Process Manager

The Linux Process Manager is a line-by-line explanation of the subset of the Linux source code kernel which deals with process management, covering:

• process creation, scheduling and termination

• synchronisation, including locks and semaphores

• interrupts (hardware and software)

• signal handling

Complete in every way, this book describes every function and macro. All data structures used by the process manager are dealt with and their role in the overall picture explained along with the accompanying raw code.

This indispensable guide to the kernel subset is aimed at readers with some previous knowledge of operating system structure and terminology, as well as a minimum knowledge of the C programming language. The comprehensive index which lists every identifier, makes in-depth information instantly available to programmers, software engineers, system administrators and anyone who wants to modify the kernel, or wants to know about the implications of kernel configuration variables.

Table of Contents

Preface.

Editor's Note; In Memoriam.

Background and Overview.

Introduction.

Representing processes in Linux.

Organising the task structures.

Wait Queues.

Mutual exclusion with locks.

Mutual exclusion with waiting.

Scheduling.

Process creation.

Process termination.

Interrupting Linux.

Exception handlers.

Hardware interrupts.

Advanced programmable interrupt controllers.

The input-output advanced programmable interrupt controller (the IO APIC).

The timer interrupt.

Software interrupts.

The signal mechanism.

Posting and delivering signals.

Executing a signal handler.

Capabilities.

Personalities and execution domains.

Tracing processes.

Process accounting.

Virtual 8086 mode.

Index.