Unix in Easy Steps

Unix in easy steps demonstrates how to get the most from any Unix-based operating system using the built-in BASH shell interpreter - the "Bourne Again SHell" (BASH). This is the default shell for Linux distributions (such as Ubuntu), Mac OS X, Solaris, and for the Raspbian operating system on Raspberry Pi devices.

This book will show you how to use the BASH command-line interface and how to employ BASH's powerful programming abilities. Complete examples illustrate each aspect with colourised source code and full-colour screenshots depict the actual output.

Unix in easy steps begins by demonstrating BASH commands for system navigation and file manipulation so you will quickly become familiar with the command-line interface. It explains all the BASH basics before moving on to describe advanced features such as:

• command history
• command-line editing
• environment customisation.

This book then introduces BASH programming with examples of flow control, command switches, input/output, job control, and program debugging - allowing you to create your own executable programs by copying the book's examples.

Unix in easy steps has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to:

• users who are completely new to Unix-based operating systems
• casual users who wish to expand their knowledge of their computer system
• those who would like to learn programming skills by writing useful shell scripts
• the student who is studying programming at school or college
• those seeking a career in computing and need a fundamental understanding of the BASH interpreter on Unix-based operating systems.

About the Author

Mike McGrath now lives in South-east Europe, on the sun-kissed shores of the Aegean Sea. Mike gained his extensive knowledge of computer languages while working as a developer contracting to companies around the world. His interests include coins of ancient Greece, dining-out with friends, and the ongoing evolution of the world wide web.