Beginning Linux Programming (Linux Programming Series) [Paperback]

Neil Matthew (Author), Richard Stones (Author)

Book Description

Series: Linux Programming Series | Publication Date: September 1999

If you've already got Linux up and running on your machine and you really want to exploit its capabilities, Beginning Linux Programming is packed full of useful information that will keep you busy for weeks. In spite of its title, Beginning Linux Programming isn't oriented toward novices. It assumes that you're a competent C programmer but are simply new to the specifics of Linux. Authors Neil Matthew and Richard Stones introduce a plethora of fundamental concepts including shell programming, file access, and using curses to write full-screen, character-based programs. But that's just the start. They cover advanced topics such as processes, pipes, semaphores, and sockets - and of course, they address issues common to Internet programming such as using CGI (Common Gateway Interface). The book is a superb resource for anyone who has really wanted to put the pedal to the metal in Linux. This revised second edition has been completely updated, and now covers programming in Perl, an introduction to writing applications for the GNOME desktop, and a new chapter about writing device drivers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Provided you have some previous basic exposure to C and Unix, Beginning Linux Programming delivers an excellent overview of the world of Linux development with an appealing range of essential tools and APIs.

The standout feature of Beginning Linux Programming is its wide-ranging coverage of important topics in basic Unix programming. In a series of short chapters, the authors discuss the basics of writing Unix programs in C, with material on basic system calls, file I/O, interprocess communication (for getting programs to work together), and advanced topics such as socket programming and how to create Unix device drivers.

Parallel to this, the book introduces the toolkits and libraries for working with user interfaces, from simpler terminal mode applications to X and GTK+ for graphical user interfaces. While you won't be an authority on X or GTK+ after reading this book, you will certainly be able to explore real Linux development on your own after the capable introductory guide provided here. (The book's main example, a CD-ROM database, gets enhanced in subsequent chapters using new APIs and features as the book moves forward.) This text also serves as a valuable primer on languages and tools such as Tcl, Perl, and CGI. (There's even a section that explains the basics of the Internet and HTML.)

More than ever, there is no shortage of specific information on Linux programming, but few titles provide such a wide-ranging tour of what you need to know to get serious with Linux development. In all, Beginning Linux Programming gives the reader an intelligent sampling of essential topics in today's Linux. It's a wise choice for aspiring Unix C developers or folks seeking to extend the range of their Linux knowledge. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: Linux overview, compiling C programs, shell programming, pipes, script keywords and functions, Unix file I/O in C, Unix system functions, terminal interfaces (termios, keyboard input, the curses library), memory management, file locking, dbm databases, make and source control basics, man pages, debugging with gdb, processes and signals, POSIX threads and synchronization, IPC and pipes, semaphores, queues and shared memory, sockets, Tcl basics, X Windows and GTK+ for GNOME, Perl basics, HTML and CGI, writing Unix device drivers.

From the Publisher

Building on the proven success of the first edition this book continues its unique aproach to teaching UNIX programming in a simple and structured way on the Linux platform.
Through the use of detailed and realistic examples, the reader learns by doing, and in the course of a single book, is able to move from being a Linux beginner to creating custom Internet applications in Linux.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 980 pages
• Publisher: Wrox Pr Inc; 2nd edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861002971
• ISBN-13: 978-1861002976
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.1 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,174,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an Excellent Book & an Excellent Start, March 28, 2005

By 

Shadi T. Khasawneh - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beginning Linux Programming (Programmer to Programmer) (Paperback)

This is an excellent, large book. And as its title suggests it is for "begginers". It covers a wide range of topics, starting from shell programming and ending with device drivers.
- Most likely, as in my case, you will read a large subset of the chapters in this book, but not everything.
- This book covers a lot of the old APIs as well, thus, you will learn to write portable code which will run under different Linux distributions (and under UNIX too).
- This book is a *MUST* for anyone starting in the Linux development world.
- One problem though, in my opinon, it should cover a little less of the "OLD" stuff and it should include MORE about the "NEW" stuff, especially about the LATEST/GREATEST 2.6.x kernel.
- I really liked the fact that it covers few basics about Linux kernel programming and device drivers in chapter 18.
- For more info about specific topics (in addition to this title), I suggest the following:
A) Linux Networking -> "The definitive guide to Linux Network Programming"
B) Linux Kernel Programming -> "Linux Kernel Development (2nd Edition - by Robert Love)"
C) Device Drivers -> "Linux Device Drivers, 3rd Edition"
D) Another excellent book addressing the same topics -> "GNU/Linux Application Programming, by M. Tim Jones"

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional writing ability makes concepts clear, June 2, 2000

By 

Gregory A. Mccoy "Truthful Reviews" (Louisville KY, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beginning Linux Programming (Linux Programming Series) (Paperback)

I have approximately 5 feet of bookshelf space dedicated to linux books, by now. While many have detail that surpasses this book, none are written as clearly. I enjoyed the writing style as much as the information conveyed. You will not be disappointed with this tome.

A word of warning, however. This book, while a beginning introduction to many topics, is not for beginning programmers. If you do not already know C, shop for another book. The authors hit the ground running and do not stop to explain pointers and other syntactic minutia. This probably will not be a problem for most of you. Why would a complete novice jump into device drivers? Still, do not be fooled by the "Beginning" in the title. You are introduced to some fairly hairy concepts most programmers seldom delve into (system calls, for example).

Am I happy with this book? You bet. If every Wrox book is as expertly edited and authored, then O'reily has some stiff competition. By the way, do not ever purchase a book with the words "Unleashed", "Maximum", or "Que" on the cover. You'll regret it.

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything You've Been Looking For, October 29, 2003

By 

Jeff Pike (Mechanicsville, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning Linux Programming (Programmer to Programmer) (Paperback)

If you are a sysadmin or want to learn programming on UNIX/LINUX you must have this book. I have several books on C and several on other languages I would trade them all for this. It covers the basics (essentials) that other books written exclusively for one language don't even touch on. I explains how all of the languages covered interplay with UNIX/LINUX.

The first chapter covers programs, the C compiler, header files, staic libraries, and shared libraries. It explains they all come together to make a program in a way that it can be understood

The second chapter covers UNIX shell scripts at length. I have good book on shell scripts, and this chapter alone is just as good as that book.

The third chapter covers working with UNIX files, system calls, library functions etc... The sample programs all work as they are supposed to. Everything is clearly explained and easily understood.

The 4th chapter covers passing arguments to C programs, envorment variables, temporary files, configuring logs, and system resources.

I have not read any further, because I've only had this book a week. I've been looking for a book like this for a few years. It talks about how C and other languages interface with LINUX/UNIX rather than just giving you the pure language and leaving you to fend for yourself.

Other chapters include:
5) Terminals
6) Curses
7) Data Management
8) Development Tools
9) Debugging
10) Processes and Signals
11) POSIX Threads

12) Inter-process Communication: Pipes
13) Semaphores, Mesage Queues, and Shared Memory,
14) Socets
15) TCL: Tool Command Language
16) Programming for X
17) Programming for GNOME using GTK+
18) The Perl Programming Language
19) Programming for the Internet: HTML
20) Internet Programming 2: CGI
21) Device Drivers
Appendex A) Portability
Appendex B) FSF and the GNU Project
Appendex C) Internet Resources
Appendex D) Bibliography

If you are only get one book on programming, this is the one you need. I have at least 8 other books on various programming languages, and this one is better than all of them combined. This book is 900 pages packed full information, and it's easily understood. The sample programs all work and are well documented.

I write this review after reading only four chapters, because the information I have gotten out of them is worth way more than the price of this book. This book gives you all the pieces to the puzzles and tells you how to put it together. This book can be used by advanced programmers as well to fill in any knowlege gaps they may have. This book gets my highest recommendation, as it will be by my side for years to come.