Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin
Commentary on the sixth edition Unix operating system (1977) [pdf] (gatech.edu)
61 points by tambourine_man on Sept 17, 2021 | hide | past | favorite | 12 comments


this makes a lot more sense alongside the actual souce code, like in this version:

https://www.amazon.com/Lions-Commentary-Unix-John/dp/1573980...


See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xv6 for an attempted equivalent that would be freely redistributable, prepared as material for the MIT OS Engineering course. Apparently they switched from 32-bit x86 to RISC-V as a platform while I wasn’t looking :)


"It has often been suggested that 1,000 lines of code represents the practical limit in size for a program which is to be understood and maintained by a single individual."


Hrm. Interestingly, someone posted the sources to Amdahl UTS here two days ago. Which is apparently the same thing, just ported to run on IBM S/370 under VM/370.

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28560334

Including two videos explaining how to install it, and all the requirements under Hercules, and many, many other links.

Now I'm wondering if it would be possible to install an IRC-client under it just for giggles, or if it would be possible at all?

Sigh. So much to try! :-)


Interestingly, 1977 is also regarded as the definitive year of punk rock.


You are not expected to understand this.


A reminder that that line is intended not as "you're not smart enough", but "this will not be on the test"


FWIW, this is from 1977.


Yes, it was the book that ignited the UNIX fire adoption.

AT&T forbidding its distribution years later, only made it into a cult status among the hacker culture, thus spreading even more the desire to make UNIX clones.

This are the kinds of events that would have turned out much different had UNIX been a commercial product.


The Streisand Effect at work, before it had its' name.


Yeah, by Unix, they mean v6 UNIX™, fresh out of Bell Labs:)


Is there an update to this consolidating the strengths and weaknesses of UNIX/Linux with a view to evolving Plan 9?




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: