Linux and the Unix Philosophy / Edition 2

by Mike Gancarz

Overview

Unlike so many books that focus on how to use Linux, Linux and the Unix Philosophy explores the "way of thinking that is Linux" and why Linux is a superior implementation of this highly capable operating system.

This book is a revision and expansion of a computer science classic. Every chapter has been thoroughly updated with Linux coverage.

Linux and the Unix Philosophy falls squarely between the "softer" texts on iterative software design and project management and the "how-to" technical texts. Thus far, no one has come out with a book that addresses this topic, either in the Unix space or the Linux space. Linux and the Unix Philosophy covers the same ground as the first edition, while it also presents bold new ideas about Linux and Open Source.


· Concise list of philosophy tenets makes it a handy quick reference
· Anecdotal examples personalize the book for the reader
· Conversational style makes it easy and joyful to read

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781555582739
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	08/05/2003
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mike Gancarz is an applications and programming consultant in Atlanta, Georgia. Using Linux, Unix, and Java tools, his team develops award-winning imaging solutions for the financial services industry. An expert in Unix application design, Mike has been an advocate of the Unix approach for more than twenty years. As a member of the team that gave birth to the X Window System, he pioneered usability concepts still found in modern window managers running on Linux today. While working at Digital Equipment Corporation's Unix Engineering Group in Nashua, New Hampshire, Mike led the port of the Unix commands and utilities to the 64-bit Alpha processor. His first book, The Unix Philosophy (Digital Press, 1995), has sold over 15,000 copies worldwide.

Read an Excerpt

New edition of a bestseller

Table of Contents

The Unix Philosophy: A Cast of Thousands; One Small Step for Humankind; Rapid Prototyping for Fun and Profit; The Portability Priority; Now That's Leverage!; The Perils of Interactive Programs; More Unix Philosophy: Ten Lesser Tenets; Making Unix Do One Thing Well; Unix and Other Operating System Philosophies; Through the Glass Darkly: Linux vs. Windows; A Cathedral? How Bizarre!; Brave New (Unix) World

Editorial Reviews

"The concept of Linux and the GNU project, while appearing to be the 'next step' of the Unix Philosophy, is only the return from a wayward path. Everything stated in the Unix Philosophy's first edition is just as true today, perhaps even more so. The addition of source code availability allows you to see exactly how these masters of code created their systems, and challenges you to create even faster code with greater capabilities." -Jon "maddog" Hall, Executive Director, Linux International

"By effectively linking the principles used in Unix with those used by the Linux development community, Gancarz sheds new light on the Open Source philosophy." -Henry L. Hall, CEO, Wild Open Source

From the Publisher