Could be better

I have studied UNIX kernels (Lyons Book), Minix kernels (this book) and Lunux kernels (many books). I wish Minix had more books than just the one Tanenbaum book. What is missing from Minix are books like Kernighan's book on the Unix Programming Environment. Minix only has an ASH shell so the numerous shell books do not apply. And Tanenbaum's book does not do justice to systems programming.
I think Dr. Tanenbaum used a microkernel with Minix because it was easier to impliment memory and file management as modules. He had been teaching from Lyons book when AT&T stopped allowing reproduction of the source code. He developed Minix as a teaching tool to fill in the gap. But I struggle trying to do API programming with Minix with the lack of books and the use of the not so well documented ACK compilier.
So if you must use this book for a course then you must buy the book. But if you are on your own learning operating systems I would stick with UNIX (Lyons book is available again) or Linux with the numerous books on the kernel.

Other Reviews

• CD missing
• Could be better
• A truly brilliant work of a Master piece
• Great OS book