Customer Reviews

UNIX Network Programming

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Great book, I've read it cover to cover. But why buy it when the author has newer versions out? Because (1) it is more concise and (2) it has info not in the other editions. I recommend you read this one cover-to-cover and buy the others as more detailed reference. His 3 other books (Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment, Unix Net. Prog.,2nd Ed., Vol.1; Unix Net. Programming, 2nd Ed., Vol.2) are far more detailed and worth having, but each is very thick. AND, the author died without finishing Unix Network Programming, 2nd Ed., Vol.3 (Applications). You have to buy this older edition to get the applications. It's easier to read 1 book 700 pp. long than to read 3 books, each 700 pp. long. Time is money.

Okay, this is the story. I have not bought this book, but got it from a university library, for a short term of a week. It is an amazing book, Richards simply is a magician, when ever it comes to displaying and explaining data. There are 2 kind of books, one that you read 50 pages of, and start randomly select pages to read out of it, and one that you read fully, continuesly, and never noticed you have spent a whole day reading it. Richards casts a spell on you with his books, they are magically clear, and vastly informative so that you will surely understand with every meaning of that word!. This is the second kind of a book! A MUST on every shelf, unfortunatly i am still desperately looking for this book!. For the "data" in it: Robust explanation of UNIX, Richards goes from the OS view and dives deeply into the internals, providing vast and clear explanations for _everything_. Throw all other books away, this is THE book.

This is undoubtedly one of the finest computer books I have ever owned. It is readable enough to use as a textbook, but well-indexed and complete enough to use as a reference. I bought my copy in 1991, and it is almost falling apart. Colleagues are constantly borrowing it, and they usually go out and get their own copy (after I tell them that they may NOT take it home). When Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment came out, a co-worker and I both decided that we would, on faith, "plunk down the 50+ bucks to own it, too". It has also proven to be readable and useful. I took a week-long class in network programming shortly after I bought the Unix Network Programming book, and I took it along, thinking I might need it. The instructor saw the book, picked it up and said "This is THE definitive reference on network programming in Unix. Any problem I have had, I have been able to find a solution in this book!" (All of this was before Steven's series of 3 volumes came out). Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go arm-wrestle one of our student interns for my copy of Unix Network Programming...

I have been actively involved in computer software/hardware for close to 20 years and have purchased probably 200+ books in this time period. Over 75% I wish I hadn't purchased. This book is probably in my top 10 however.

This book is what's called a "Bible". It's an authoritive reference on Unix networking and communications (ipc/rpc) and much else. I equate it to the Kernighan & Ritchie C book, etc.

I wouldn't recommend this book to someone new to computers, but if you have a few years under your belt, or are an eager-beaver then go ahead...you won't regret your purchase.

The author uses a simple client/server program example (a simple file server) and then goes through several iterations/revisions, each using a different IPC mechanism to accomplish same task. A great technique for exploring new concepts...tie them all to a single program design with the program evolving to use different APIs/IPC mechanisms.

Nothing could match this book as far as Unix networking is concerned. This book is simply great for all programmers who want to have a firm grip on Unix network programming. Stevens has dealt with all the topics keeping in view the knowledge level of the programmers who would be chosing this book for their help. I would suggest everyone to keep the 'Advanced Programming in UNIX environment' by Stevens by your side when you are reading this book. This book is again perfect'10' I must say. Just go and grab both these books!!!

This book is a must have for any one starting to do Unix network programming. It is also a good reference for the Unix programmer doing network programming. Expect to find complete discussions and examples of Unix code for Sockets, RPC. Inter-process communications (IPC) are discussed in detail. Coding at the transport layer, both Sockets and TLI are discussed with an emphesis towards Sockets. Expect to find a complete discussion on network devices as well, pseudo-tty devices and applications that use them (rlogin, telnet, etc...)

I cannot fathom a guess as to how many times the books in this series have saved my in project work over the years. The only drawback with this series is that some publisher should endeavor to keep them up to date. Serious Unix system programmers must have copies of the complete series.

With very little effort, one can learn the techniques and tricks to programming Sockets and other forms of IPC. Using this book alone, I was able to learn and implement socket based applications. Richard Stevens's writing is well thought out and full of examples.

This book is a must read if you are going to program using TCP/IP Sockets or XTI. But, get the Second Edition, published in late 1997.

I like the books written by Mr.Stevens. I have heard of his name a long time ago.And I greatly admire him. The network programming is hot because of the development of Internet.This book teaches you how to write correct and efficient programs on networks.