Understanding UNIX/LINUX Programming: A Guide to Theory and Practice (Paperback)

Understanding Unix/Linux Programming explains how Unix and Linux work and shows how to write programs at the system call level. Using nearly 100 complete programs and over 200 illustrations, the book demonstrates the basics as well as the advanced aspects of Unix systems programming.

Topics include:

• file I/O
• file systems
• device I/O
• the terminal driver
• timers
• signals
• process management
• pipes
• stream and datagram sockets
• network programming
• POSIX threads
• semaphores

The text presents theory in practical contexts with detailed explanations of common Unix programs such as who, ls, pwd, sh, and httpd. Each example starts with a description of what the program does and how people use it. From there, the text discusses the underlying principles and mechanisms, and then uses those ideas to write a version of the program.

The book is designed for learning. Chapter summaries, memorable analogies, experiments, explorations, and varied exercises help the reader understand and program Unix as an integrated, logical whole.

Material in the book applies to all versions of Unix and Linux. The book assumes the reader knows the C programming language and is familiar with a modern operating system. The book is suitable as a class text, for self-study, and for reference, and it provides thorough coverage of information essential to students, Unix programmers, and system administrators

Table of Contents

1. Unix Systems Programming: The Big Picture.
2. Users, Files, and the Manual: Who Is First.
3. Directories and File Properties: Looking through ls.
4. Focus on File Systems: Writing pwd.
5. Connection Control: Studying stty.
6. Programming for Humans: Terminal Control and Signals.
7. Event-Driven Programming: Writing a Video Game.
8. Processes and Programs: Studying sh.
9. A Programmable Shell: Shell Variables and the Environment.
10. I/O Redirection and Pipes.
11. Connecting to Processes Near and Far: Servers and Sockets.
12. Connections and Protocols: Writing a Web Server.
13. Programming with Datagrams: A License Server.
14. Threads: Concurrent Functions.
15. IPC Roundup: Can We Talk?