Mac OS X and iOS Internals: To the Apple′s Core - Softcover

Levin, Jonathan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1118057651 ISBN 13: 9781118057650

Publisher: Wrox, 2012

Synopsis

An in–depth look into Mac OS X and iOS kernels

Powering Macs, iPhones, iPads and more, OS X and iOS are becoming ubiquitous. When it comes to documentation, however, much of them are shrouded in mystery. Cocoa and Carbon, the application frameworks, are neatly described, but system programmers find the rest lacking. This indispensable guide illuminates the darkest corners of those systems, starting with an architectural overview, then drilling all the way to the core.

• Provides you with a top down view of OS X and iOS
• Walks you through the phases of system startup both Mac (EFi) and mobile (iBoot)
• Explains how processes, threads, virtual memory, and filesystems are maintained
• Covers the security architecture
• Reviews the internal Apis used by the system BSD and Mach
• Dissects the kernel, XNU, into its sub components: Mach, the BSD Layer, and I/o kit, and explains each in detail
• Explains the inner workings of device drivers

From architecture to implementation, this book is essential reading if you want to get serious about the internal workings of Mac OS X and iOS.

About this title

About the Author

Jonathan Levin is a longtime trainer and consultant focusing on the system and kernel levels of the ′Big Three′ Windows, Linux, and OS X, as well as their mobile derivatives. He is the founder and CTO of Technologeeks.com, a partnership of experts delivering advanced training on systems/kernel programming, debugging, and profiling.

From the Back Cover

Peeling Apple′s Operating Systems

System–level developers, kernel hackers, and intrigued Apple–lytes, take heed: This book lets you explore the nooks and crannies of Mac OS X and iOS, delving into the architecture of both systems, and picking up where the frameworks (and documentation) leave off. It offers clear, detailed explanation of the inner workings of Apple′s systems, including proprietary APIs, most of which are documented for the first time.

As you traverse the architecture, moving from user to kernel mode, each layer and component is unraveled with annotated code samples and hands–on experiments, comparing and contrasting its implementation in both OSes. Topics include:

• The boot process: Mac′s EFI, iOS′s iBoot, and kernel startup
• Processes, threads, and virtual memory management
• Debugging and profiling, using DTrace, ptrace, and hidden system calls
• The system level APIs: POSIX calls, Mach traps, and OS X/iOS proprietary
• File system architecture, including VFS and HFS+
• Network architecture: from sockets to interfaces, and network drivers
• Kernel extensions, drivers, and a discussion of I/O Kit architecture
• Security features, Mandatory Access Control, and iOS jail

The companion web site (http://www.newosxbook.com) includes sample programs, freely downloadable tools, updated references, and bonus additions.

Wrox Professional guides are planned and written by working programmers to meet the real–world needs of programmers, developers, and IT professionals. Focused and relevant, they address the issues technology professionals face every day. They provide examples, practical solutions, and expert education in new technologies, all designed to help programmers do a better job.

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Edition details

• Publisher: Wrox
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1118057651
• ISBN 13: 9781118057650
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 864