This book, "Introduction to System Programming in Linux," offers a practical, project-based approach to learning low-level Linux programming. It covers essential concepts like process management, memory allocation, inter-process communication (using pipes, message queues, and shared memory), file I/O, and multithreading. The book emphasizes hands-on learning through coding examples and projects, guiding readers in building their own mini-shell, a multithreaded web server, and a key-value store. It aims to provide a solid foundation for developing system software, embedded systems, and performance-sensitive applications on Linux.
Marco Cantu has finished annotating the "Mastering Delphi 5" book, making it available as a free PDF download. This updated edition provides modern context and corrections to the 20-year-old text, focusing on the core Delphi language and VCL framework concepts that remain relevant today. While acknowledging some outdated aspects, the annotations aim to clarify the book's content for a contemporary audience and highlight its enduring value for learning fundamental Delphi programming principles. Cantu sees this project as a stepping stone towards similarly updating his "Mastering Delphi 7" book.
Hacker News users reacted to the updated "Mastering Delphi 5" with a mix of nostalgia and pragmatism. Several commenters reminisced about Delphi's past prominence and ease of use, fondly recalling their experiences with the platform and its RAD capabilities. Others questioned the relevance of Delphi 5 in the modern development landscape, acknowledging its legacy but expressing concerns about its limitations compared to newer technologies. Some pointed out the niche areas where Delphi still thrives, such as industrial automation and legacy system maintenance, highlighting the value of the updated book for developers in those fields. A few users also discussed the merits of sticking with older, stable technologies versus constantly chasing the latest trends, with some advocating for the simplicity and reliability of mature platforms like Delphi 5.
Elements of Programming (2009) by Alexander Stepanov and Paul McJones provides a foundational approach to programming by emphasizing abstract concepts and mathematical rigor. The book develops fundamental algorithms and data structures from first principles, focusing on clear reasoning and formal specifications. It uses abstract data types and generic programming techniques to achieve code that is both efficient and reusable across different programming languages and paradigms. The book aims to teach readers how to think about programming at a deeper level, enabling them to design and implement robust and adaptable software. While rooted in practical application, its focus is on the underlying theoretical framework that informs good programming practices.
Hacker News users discuss the density and difficulty of Elements of Programming, acknowledging its academic rigor and focus on foundational concepts. Several commenters point out that the book isn't for beginners and requires significant mathematical maturity. The book's use of abstract algebra and its emphasis on generic programming are highlighted, with some finding it insightful and others overwhelming. The discussion also touches on the impracticality of some of the examples for real-world coding and the lack of readily available implementations in popular languages. Some suggest alternative resources for learning practical programming, while others defend the book's value for building a deeper understanding of fundamental principles. A recurring theme is the contrast between the book's theoretical approach and the practical needs of most programmers.
Mark Rosenfelder's "The Language Construction Kit" offers a practical guide for creating fictional languages, emphasizing naturalistic results. It covers core aspects of language design, including phonology (sounds), morphology (word formation), syntax (sentence structure), and the lexicon (vocabulary). The book also delves into writing systems, sociolinguistics, and the evolution of languages, providing a comprehensive framework for crafting believable and complex constructed languages. While targeted towards creating languages for fictional worlds, the kit also serves as a valuable introduction to linguistics itself, exploring the underlying principles governing real-world languages.
Hacker News users discuss the Language Construction Kit, praising its accessibility and comprehensiveness for beginners. Several commenters share nostalgic memories of using the kit in their youth, sparking their interest in linguistics and constructed languages. Some highlight specific aspects they found valuable, such as the sections on phonology and morphology. Others debate the kit's age and whether its information is still relevant, with some suggesting updated resources while others argue its core principles remain valid. A few commenters also discuss the broader appeal and challenges of language creation.
The "RLHF Book" is a free, online, and continuously updated resource explaining Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF). It covers the fundamentals of RLHF, including the core concepts of reinforcement learning, different human feedback collection methods, and various training algorithms like PPO and Proximal Policy Optimization. It also delves into practical aspects like reward model training, fine-tuning language models with RLHF, and evaluating the performance of RLHF systems. The book aims to provide both a theoretical understanding and practical guidance for implementing RLHF, making it accessible to a broad audience ranging from beginners to experienced practitioners interested in aligning language models with human preferences.
Hacker News users discussing the RLHF book generally expressed interest in the topic, viewing the resource as valuable for understanding the rapidly developing field. Some commenters praised the book's clarity and accessibility, particularly its breakdown of complex concepts. Several users highlighted the importance of RLHF in current AI development, specifically mentioning its role in shaping large language models. A few commenters questioned certain aspects of RLHF, like potential biases and the reliance on human feedback, sparking a brief discussion about the long-term implications of the technique. There was also appreciation for the book being freely available, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Summary of Comments ( 6 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43526763
Hacker News users discuss the value of the "Introduction to System Programming in Linux" book, particularly for beginners. Some commenters highlight the importance of Kay Robbins and Dave Robbins' previous work, expressing excitement for this new release. Others debate the book's relevance given the wealth of free online resources, although some counter that a well-structured book can be more valuable than scattered web tutorials. Several commenters express interest in seeing more practical examples and projects within the book, particularly those focusing on modern systems and real-world applications. Finally, there's a brief discussion about alternative learning resources, including the Linux Programming Interface and Beej's Guide.
The Hacker News post for "Introduction to System Programming in Linux (Early Access)" has a modest number of comments, generating a brief discussion around the book and system programming resources in general.
One commenter expresses excitement about the book, specifically mentioning their interest in the chapter on memory mapping. They also highlight the author's previous work, "The Linux Programming Interface," as a valuable resource, implying a positive expectation for this new book.
Another commenter questions the necessity of yet another book on Linux system programming, given the existing abundance of online resources and the classic "Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment" (APUE) by Stevens. They acknowledge the potential value of a more modern approach, but seem unconvinced of its unique contribution. This sparks a small thread where another user counters that while online resources are helpful, a well-structured book offers a more comprehensive and pedagogical approach. They argue that books provide a curated path through the material, which can be more beneficial for learning than piecing together fragmented information online. This commenter also points to the potential value of having up-to-date information specifically regarding newer system calls and best practices, differentiating the new book from the older, though still respected, APUE.
Another comment simply provides a link to the author's website, offering an additional avenue for information about the book and the author's other work.
Finally, a commenter asks about the book's coverage of eBPF, a technology relevant to modern Linux system programming. Unfortunately, this question remains unanswered in the thread.
In summary, the comments section reflects a mixed reception. Some express enthusiasm for a new resource on Linux system programming, especially one by a respected author, while others question its value proposition in a field already saturated with information. The discussion touches upon the benefits of structured learning offered by books compared to online resources and the desire for up-to-date coverage of modern technologies like eBPF.