With the same straightforward and clear writing style that has made previous editions so successful, Understanding Operating Systems, Fifth Edition, provides the ideal blend of operating theory and practice. Coverage includes the fundamentals of operating systems: what they are, what they do, how they function, how they can be evaluated, and how they compare to one another. Part One describes the management of memory, processors, devices, files, and networks as well as system security, ethics, and overall system management. The second part of the book focuses on four specific operating systems (UNIX, MS-DOS, Windows, and Linux) and how they apply the theory explained in the first part of the text. Updates include discussions of new technologies that affect operating system design, including multi-core chips and virtualization, making this edition a current and relevant resource.