Linux Context Switching Internals: From Data Structures to Implementation (Early Release)

This is an early-release version of a book I am writing on the internals of context switching implementation in Linux for X86-64 architecture. Right now the first chapter is published, there are going to be 3-4 more chapters more which will come in the coming weeks/months.

The book aims to provide a deep technical coverage of how the Linux kernel implements context switching—one of the most fundamental operations in any operating system.

This book breaks down the complex mechanism of context switching into three parts:

- Process Management: How the kernel tracks process state and memory

- Mode Switching: The mechanics of transitioning between user and kernel modes

- Context Switch Implementation: The actual process of switching between tasks

You'll learn:

• How the kernel represents processes using task_struct
• How virtual memory is organized and managed
• How the CPU switches between privilege levels
• The role of CPU caches and TLBs in context switching
• Impact of speculative execution attack mitigations
• Real implementation details from the Linux kernel source

Perfect for:

• Systems programmers
• Linux kernel developers
• Performance engineers
• Anyone interested in OS internals

The content is thoroughly researched, with references to actual kernel source code. Complex concepts are explained with clear diagrams and practical examples. You can check out my past writings at: https://blog.codingconfessions.com/

Note: This is a technical book that assumes familiarity with C programming and basic OS concepts, such as virtual memory, page tables, process scheduling etc.