Operation Binder: Secrets of Inter-Process Communication

Ever wondered how applications are able to communicate and coordinate with each other securely, while also extremely isolated from one another?

Inter-Process communication is one of the most critical parts of modern operating systems, yet nearly invisible to the user.

Join me as we pull back the curtain on this crucial yet often overlooked technology.

We'll examine both the history and fundamentals of IPC systems, as well as focusing on one that runs on billions of devices worldwide, the Android Binder.

Don't worry, there will be plenty of real-world code examples to follow along!

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Timestamps:
00:00 Foundational Problem
03:33 Process Isolation
06:08 Indirect Communication
09:47 IPC "Security"
14:19 Centralized Management
18:56 Message Queue
22:45 Message Structure
25:13 Message Wrappers
27:18 Service Discovery
31:10 Permissions
32:34 Thread Pool
34:48 Death Notification
39:11 Abuse
40:56 Future of IPCs

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Resources:

Sample Android Applications, Source Code, and References:

Bad Binder Exploit, Project Zero:

[kubaofc]

Laurie, we don't deserve this kind of quality of production

[TheGunnarRoxen]

My 5 year old daughter thinks you are awesome as do I. You are an awesome role model for her. Keep doing what you do!

[Scriabin_fan]

The amount of care, passion and attention you put into your content is greatly appreciated.

[summonthecat]

That spy scene with the sea in the background was crazily well shot. Also good introduction to android as Linux based so far.

[quackcharge]

we don't deserve the LaurieWired cinematic universe

[Graveness]

I haven't seen anyone put this much effort and attention to detail into a YouTube video. I think this should be a series on Netflix.

[YuruCampSupermacy]

how is she able to make a tech video with such good production very cool

[jsaenzMusic]

Yes, please more "dense, technical and challenging" content! I personally prefer it over the "child animated - over simplified" methods I see commonly now. Thank you for the content!

[TheTransporter]

Linux Architect & AI/ML/HPC researcher here. This channel is *criminally* undersubscribed. Out-freaking-standing.
The explanations of IPC, mQ, thread/process management and other concepts are absolutely _brilliant._

[PixelGaming_]

You totally respect the viewer by explaining everything thoroughly. That's something to admire.

[psynuxx]

I've worked in the IT industry for almost 30 years. I'm also an aspiring cinematographer. Laurie has exceeded what I can do on every level, from cybersecurity to the production of her channel. Impressive. Bravo!

[jordanray]

This was incredible. As an Android dev, I've often wondered how message passing worked and what parcelables were, and how they related to Intents too. The way you broke everything down and built it back up again from the ground up was simply fantastic, and I loved your agent analogy.
Seriously well done.

[IDWpresents]

The scene at 0:52 shows incredible attention to detail. It shows the Seattle Waterfront with the blue angles performing for Seafair in the background. Given that Seafair was this past weekend, I think this video has been mostly finished for a while and was delayed just to get that shot of the blue angels! Incredible dedication!

[hankscorpio]

Laurie ensures we're still in the golden age of educational content on YouTube, at least where compsci is concerned.

[pantouffle]

No matter how well Android tries to solve this problem, IPC remains a non-trivial problem for any system. Kudos for being able to explain it both factual and entertaining.

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[imperadorpilaf]

I love how the guys that talk about low level stuff never disappoint me. They always post the videos I need at the time I need them. right now I am studying for an operating systems exam for example

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I am, so shocked. It has been such a while since I found such well made videos, I am SO THANKFUL FOR THIS!!! You have no idea how good this type of quality is!!!! This video deserve MILLIONS OF VIEWS!!!

[TomNook.]

These production levels are off the chart

[shubhamsonawane]

and again there is her cutest way of explaining technical details