This book views the operating system as a problem-solving aid for a programmer to master, just as a programming language must be mastered. A full-service, multi-user, interactive operating system is intended for use by application programmers. This book not only shows the programmer what an operating system is expected to provide, it gives programmers a hands-on opportunity to use it. Theoretical discussions are included, but the emphasis is on the application, so that the software engineer can exploit the services provided by a working operating system, in this specific instance the VAX/VMS system. Once the text introduces the purpose of a particular service, it discusses how this service is provided and how the VMS operating system makes use of it.

OpenVMS professionals have long enjoyed a robust, full-featured operating system running the most mission-critical applications in existence. However, many of today's graduates may not yet have had the opportunity to experience it for themselves. Intended for an audience with some knowledge of operating systems such as Windows, UNIX and Linux, Getting Started with OpenVMS introduces the reader to the OpenVMS approach. Part 1 is a practical introduction to get the reader started using the system. The reader will learn the OpenVMS terminology and approach to common concepts such as processes and threads, queues, user profiles, command line and GUI interfaces and networking. Part 2 provides more in-depth information about the major components for the reader desiring a more technical description. Topics include process structure, scheduling, memory management and the file system. Short sections on the history of OpenVMS, including past, present, and future hardware support (like the Intel Itanium migration), are included. OpenVMS is considered in different roles, such as a desktop system, a multi-user system, a network server, and in a combination of roles. - Allows the more advanced reader some meaty content yet does not overwhelm the novice - Provides practical examples showing that OpenVMS is well-suited for popular modern applications - Gives a high-level overview of concepts behind internals such as memory management

Architectural specifications can make for dry reading, but this volume should be of interest to at least three types of readers. Serious computer engineers specializing in machine design, application or systems programmers of VAX computers, and computer science or engineering students. This volume provides an example of a successful computer architecture, and how it should be documented. It is a complete description of the machine language interface for VAX computers. And it provides a case study in design and computer organization or assembly language programming.

Software -- Operating Systems.

By using this innovative text, students will obtain an understanding of how contemporary operating systems and middleware work, and why they work that way.