# Andrew S. Tanenbaum

> American-Dutch computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q92621](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92621)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_S._Tanenbaum)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/andrew-s-tanenbaum

## Summary
Andrew S. Tanenbaum is an American-Dutch computer scientist and educator best known for creating MINIX, a Unix-like operating system designed for educational purposes. He is also a renowned author of influential textbooks on computer science and operating systems, and a professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 16, 1944, in New York City, USA
- **Nationality**: American and Dutch
- **Education**:
  - Bachelor of Science in Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1965)
  - Doctorate in Physics, University of California, Berkeley (1971)
- **Known for**: Creating MINIX, authoring widely used computer science textbooks, and contributions to distributed systems
- **Employer(s)**: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (current)
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, information technology, operating systems

## Contributions
Andrew S. Tanenbaum has made significant contributions to computer science, particularly in operating systems and education. In 1987, he created MINIX, a Unix-like operating system designed for educational purposes, which influenced the development of Linux. He also developed Amoeba, a distributed operating system, in 1981. Tanenbaum is the author of several influential textbooks, including *Operating Systems: Design and Implementation* and *Computer Networks*, which are widely used in academia. His work on MINIX 3, a more modern version of MINIX, continues to impact operating system education and research. Additionally, he has supervised numerous doctoral students who have gone on to make significant contributions in the field.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Andrew S. Tanenbaum best known for?
A: Andrew S. Tanenbaum is best known for creating MINIX, a Unix-like operating system designed for educational purposes, and for authoring influential textbooks on computer science and operating systems.

### Q: Where does Andrew S. Tanenbaum work?
A: Andrew S. Tanenbaum is a professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

### Q: What are some of Andrew S. Tanenbaum's notable publications?
A: Some of his notable publications include *Operating Systems: Design and Implementation* and *Computer Networks*, which are widely used in computer science education.

### Q: What awards has Andrew S. Tanenbaum received?
A: Tanenbaum has received several awards, including the IEEE James H. Mulligan, Jr. Education Medal (2007), the ACM Software System Award (2023), and the SIGCSE Outstanding Contribution to Computer Science Education (1997).

### Q: What is MINIX?
A: MINIX is a Unix-like operating system created by Andrew S. Tanenbaum in 1987, designed primarily for educational purposes. It influenced the development of Linux and continues to be used in operating system education.

## Why They Matter
Andrew S. Tanenbaum's work has had a profound impact on computer science education and operating system development. His creation of MINIX provided a practical, educational tool that influenced the development of Linux, one of the most widely used operating systems today. His textbooks have shaped the education of countless computer science students worldwide. Tanenbaum's contributions to distributed systems, through projects like Amoeba, have also advanced the field of computer networking. His mentorship of doctoral students, many of whom have become prominent in the field, further extends his influence.

## Notable For
- Creating MINIX, a Unix-like operating system for educational purposes (1987)
- Authoring influential textbooks on operating systems and computer networks
- Developing Amoeba, a distributed operating system (1981)
- Receiving the ACM Software System Award (2023) and the IEEE James H. Mulligan, Jr. Education Medal (2007)
- Mentoring notable computer scientists, including Werner Vogels and Henri Bal

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Andrew S. Tanenbaum was born on March 16, 1944, in New York City, USA. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1965 and a Doctorate in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1971.

### Career and Contributions
Tanenbaum is a professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where he has made significant contributions to computer science education and research. His most notable creation is MINIX, a Unix-like operating system designed for educational purposes, first released in 1987. MINIX was influential in the development of Linux, as it provided a practical example of an operating system that could be studied and modified.

In addition to MINIX, Tanenbaum developed Amoeba, a distributed operating system, in 1981. Amoeba was designed for timesharing on a network and was developed at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Tanenbaum is also a prolific author. His textbooks, such as *Operating Systems: Design and Implementation* and *Computer Networks*, are widely used in computer science education. These books have helped shape the education of countless students in the field.

### Awards and Recognition
Tanenbaum has received numerous awards for his contributions to computer science and education. These include:
- IEEE James H. Mulligan, Jr. Education Medal (2007)
- ACM Software System Award (2023)
- SIGCSE Outstanding Contribution to Computer Science Education (1997)
- Akademiehoogleraren Prize (2004-2009)

### Mentorship and Influence
Tanenbaum has supervised several doctoral students who have gone on to make significant contributions to computer science. Notable students include Werner Vogels, Henri Bal, and Frans Kaashoek.

### Personal Life
Tanenbaum is of Jewish descent and holds both American and Dutch citizenship. He resides in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

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## References

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5. [Nine 2012 Electoral College predictions have Obama ahead. 2012](http://www.denverpost.com/politics-national/2012/11/nine-2012-electoral-college-predictions-have-obama-ahead/)
6. [Andrew Tanenbaum. NNDB](https://www.nndb.com/people/578/000023509/)
7. [IEEE James H. Mulligan, Jr. Education Medal. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers](https://ethw.org/IEEE_James_H._Mulligan,_Jr._Education_Medal)
8. [Academy Professor Award of the The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) 2004-2009. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam](https://research.vu.nl/en/prizes/prijs-akademiehoogleraren-2/)
9. [2023 ACM Software System Award. Association for Computing Machinery](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/tanenbaum_1309681#158)
10. [ACM SIGCSE Award for Outstanding Contribution to Computer Science Education. SIGCSE](https://sigcse.org/programs/awards/outstanding.html)
11. [Source](http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/khorostkov/khorostkov.html)
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14. [Andrew S Tanenbaum: ACM Fellows. Association for Computing Machinery](https://awards.acm.org/fellows/award-recipients)
15. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/lists/512/000063323/)
16. [Source](http://www.computerhope.com/people/andrew_tanenbaum.htm)
17. SNAC
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