1. Core composition
The Linux kernel consists of the following components:
- Process management: responsible for managing the creation, destruction, scheduling and communication of processes.
- Memory management: Responsible for managing physical memory and virtual memory in the system, including memory mapping and page replacement.
- File system: Provides an abstraction of files, directories, and other file system objects, including file operations, file system mounts, and disk space management.
- Network protocol stack: responsible for processing network communication, including network interface control, IP protocol and TCP/UDP protocol, etc.
- Device driver: responsible for interacting with hardware devices, including input and output devices, network interfaces, storage devices, etc.
- System call: Provides an interface for user space programs to access kernel functions.
- Security module: Provide security mechanisms to protect the integrity and confidentiality of system resources and data.
- Interrupt handling: responsible for handling hardware interrupts and exceptions, and scheduling the processor to execute interrupt service routines.
2. Kernel prospect
The Linux kernel has a wide range of applications and development prospects. Here are a few areas:
- Cloud Computing: The Linux kernel is a commonly used operating system for cloud computing platforms, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
- Internet of Things: Due to its scalability and cross-processor architecture, the Linux kernel is widely used in IoT devices and embedded systems.
- Big data: The Linux kernel is an important part of the big data infrastructure, including Hadoop, Spark, and Kafka.
- Container technology: The popularization of container technologies such as Docker makes the Linux kernel more widely used.
- AI and Machine Learning: The Linux kernel is one of the main operating systems for artificial intelligence and machine learning frameworks, such as TensorFlow and PyTorch, among others.
- Emerging technologies: With the emergence of emerging technologies, the Linux kernel will continue to have a wide range of application prospects, such as blockchain, quantum computing, and edge computing.
In short, the open source nature, security, high customizability and flexibility of the Linux kernel, as well as community support and active development make it have a wide range of application prospects in various industries.
3. How to learn the kernel and kernel source code reading
The purpose of learning the kernel is to understand the basic knowledge of the operating system and the role of the kernel. The kernel is the core component of the operating system and is responsible for managing computer resources, including processors, memory, input and output devices, and more. Learning the kernel can help you deeply understand the working principle of the operating system and improve system optimization and development capabilities.
Learning the kernel can be done in the following steps:
- Learn operating system principles: understand the basic concepts and principles of operating systems, including process management, memory management, file systems, network protocols, etc.
- Master C language and assembly language: Learning C language and assembly language is the prerequisite for understanding the kernel code. You need to master concepts such as pointers, memory allocation, and structures.
- Read the kernel documentation: The kernel source code contains a lot of documentation, including comments, documentation, kernel API documentation, etc. These documents need to be read first to understand the structure and design of the kernel.
- Read the kernel source code: start from simple, gradually deepen, analyze and understand the kernel code line by line. You can choose to read according to the modules or questions you are interested in.
- Practice programming: try to modify the kernel code, and conduct testing and debugging to deepen the understanding of the kernel code.
- Participate in community development: Participate in the discussion and development of the Linux kernel community to gain more knowledge and experience about the kernel.
Kernel source code reading can be carried out according to the following steps:
- Determine the purpose of reading: Before starting to read the kernel source code, you need to clarify your learning purpose and needs. Do you want to gain an in-depth understanding of the implementation of a specific module, or do you want to have a comprehensive understanding of the structure and design of the entire kernel.
- Install the kernel source code: First, you need to download and install the kernel source code. You can download the latest version of the kernel source code from the official website, or you can choose to use the kernel source code that comes with your Linux distribution.
- Read the documentation: The kernel source code contains a large number of comments, documentation, and API documentation. Before you start reading the code, you need to read these documents to understand the structure and design of the kernel.
- Select reading modules: You can choose specific reading modules according to your interests and needs. It is recommended to start reading from simple modules and gradually go deeper into complex parts.
- Clear thinking: When reading the kernel source code, you need to keep a clear thinking and understand the code according to the execution process of the kernel. At the same time, you need to pay attention to the calling relationship of the code and the definition and use of the data structure.
- Hands-on programming: Try modifying and debugging kernel code to deepen your understanding of the kernel. However, it should be noted that you need to understand the security and stability requirements of the kernel before modifying the kernel code.
In short, learning the core requires continuous accumulation and practice, patience and perseverance. At the same time, it is necessary to continuously maintain the enthusiasm and motivation for learning in order to continue to deepen and develop in this field.
Kernel information through train: Linux kernel source code technology learning route + video tutorial code information
Learning through train: Linux kernel source code/memory tuning/file system/process management/device driver/network protocol stack
4. Kernel learning route
1. Process management topic
1.1 Basic part of process management
1.2 Process management improvement part
1.3 Advanced part of process scheduling
2. Memory management
2.1 Basic part of memory management
2.2 Advanced part of memory management
3. Network protocol stack
3.1 Network protocol stack architecture (1)
3.2 Network protocol stack architecture (2)
4. Device driver
4.1 Device Driver Infrastructure
4.2Linux device model
4.3 Resource Allocation
4.4 Character device operation
4.5 block device operation
4.6 NIC network interface card
5. File system and kernel activity components
5.1 Virtual file system
5.2 Disk file system
5.3 Data Synchronization
5.4 Kernel Active Components
5.5 Open Source Community
5. Applicable people
The applicable crowd of Linux kernel includes:
- Operating system developers: The Linux kernel is an operating system kernel, so it is very important for those engaged in operating system development to understand and master the Linux kernel.
- Embedded system developers: The Linux kernel is widely used in embedded systems. For those engaged in embedded system development, it is essential to be familiar with and master the Linux kernel.
- Network developers: The Linux kernel is one of the important implementations of the network protocol stack, so for those engaged in network development, learning the Linux kernel is an effective way to improve network skills.
- Driver developer: The Linux kernel driver is responsible for interacting with hardware devices, so it is essential for those engaged in driver development to understand and master the Linux kernel driver development technology.
- System administrator: The Linux operating system is widely used, so for those engaged in system management, understanding and mastering the Linux kernel is the basis for managing and maintaining the Linux system.
- Contributors to the open source community: The Linux kernel is an important part of the open source community. Participating in the discussion and development of the Linux kernel community can not only accumulate experience for individuals, but also make contributions to the open source community.
The Linux kernel is an important part of the computer field. For those engaged in related work, it is very beneficial to understand and master the Linux kernel technology.
Learning the Linux kernel can be engaged in the following positions:
- Operating system development engineer: responsible for the development and maintenance of the operating system, including debugging kernel code, optimizing system performance, and supporting new hardware.
- Embedded system engineer: Responsible for the development and maintenance of embedded systems, including cutting the kernel, porting drivers, and supporting new hardware.
- Driver development engineer: Responsible for writing and maintaining device drivers, interacting with hardware, and realizing system control and management of hardware devices.
- Network development engineer: Responsible for the development and maintenance of the network protocol stack, including implementing and optimizing the TCP/IP protocol, supporting new types of network interfaces, etc.
- Database development engineer: Responsible for the development and maintenance of the database system, including the realization of storage engine, query optimization, high availability and other functions.
- Big data development engineer: Responsible for the development and maintenance of big data platforms, including the application and development of Hadoop, Spark, Kafka and other technologies.
- Security engineer: Responsible for system security work, including technical research on vulnerability patching, encryption and decryption, etc.
Learning Linux kernel technology can work in multiple directions in the computer field, including operating system development, embedded systems, drivers, network protocol stacks, big data, security and other fields.
Learning the kernel can help programmers gain a deeper understanding of how an operating system works, allowing them to better write applications and debug problems. Programmers can gain richer development experience and skills, such as familiarity with system-level programming, driver development, etc. Let programmers better understand the importance of code quality, and master code design patterns and best practices, better understand complex problems in the system, and propose more effective solutions. Mastering kernel development skills can improve the competitiveness of programmers in the workplace, especially in the fields of operating systems and embedded systems.
Linux kernel learning address: Linux kernel source code/memory tuning/file system/process management/device driver/network protocol stack