6. Communication Between Kernel and User Space
Clear communication between kernel and user space is vital for the efficiency and stability of Linux-based systems, particularly in embedded environments. This chapter discusses various mechanisms facilitating this communication, including system calls, device files, IOCTLs, shared memory, and signals. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developers engaged in system-level programming.
Enroll to start learning
You've not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Sections
Navigate through the learning materials and practice exercises.
What we have learnt
- The kernel and user space are isolated but must communicate for effective system operation.
- System calls provide the primary interface for user applications to request services from the kernel.
- Device files allow user-space applications to interact with hardware devices using regular file operations.
Key Concepts
- -- System Calls
- Functions that allow user space programs to interact with the kernel and request services like file management and process management.
- -- Device Files
- Special files in Linux that represent devices, enabling user-space programs to interact with hardware like disks and serial ports.
- -- IOCTL
- A system call used for sending control commands or configuration requests to device drivers beyond standard operations.
- -- Shared Memory
- A mechanism that enables kernel and user-space applications to share memory regions directly, facilitating efficient data exchange.
- -- Signals
- Notifications from the kernel to user-space applications about events that require immediate processing.
Additional Learning Materials
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.