Chapter 2. Exploration ToolkitIn this chapter
This chapter overviews common Linux coding constructs and describes a number of methods to interface with the kernel. We start by looking at common Linux datatypes used for efficient storage and retrieval of information, coding methods, and basic assembly language. This provides a foundation for the more detailed kernel analysis in the later chapters. We then describe how Linux compiles and links the source code into executable code. This is useful for understanding cross-platform code and nicely introduces the GNU toolset. This is followed by an outline of a number of methods to gather information from the Linux kernel. We range from analyzing source and executable code to inserting debugging statements within the Linux kernel. This chapter closes with a "grab bag" of observations and comments on other regularly encountered Linux conventions.[1]
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