Distributed Systems: Principles and Paradigms

The first edition of "Distributed Systems: Principles and Paradigms" by Tanenbaum covers a wide range of topics related to distributed systems. It includes discussions on CORBA, RPCs, fault tolerance, security, and more. Tanenbaum is known for being one of the best writers in Computer Science, and this book lives up to that reputation. It serves as an excellent reference for those studying or working in the field. The book starts with a great introduction to distributed systems in the first four chapters, making it suitable for readers with limited prior knowledge on the subject. The main concentration of the book lies in chapters 5 through 7, which cover synchronization, Consistency and replication, and fault tolerance. The explanations in the text are well-written and accompanied by high-quality diagrams, making them easy to understand for readers who think visually. One minor drawback mentioned by a reviewer is the datedness of the book, which prevented it from being rated five stars. The reviewer expressed a hope for coverage of newer topics, such as the super network GRID and more extensive coverage of intelligent agents, in future editions. The only other criticism mentioned is the cover art of the book, which some find unappealing and more suitable for a grade school reading. However, this does not detract from the quality of the content. Overall, "Distributed Systems: Principles and Paradigms" is a comprehensive and well-written book that provides a thorough understanding of distributed systems. While it may benefit from some updates in future editions, it remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in the subject.