UNIX Users Interactive Workbook [Paperback]

John McMullen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130998206 | ISBN-13: 978-0130998200 | Publication Date: November 5, 1998 | Edition: 1

The fast, easy way to learn UNIX -- with exclusive access to an up-to-the-minute Web-based training site! This interactive workbook covers everything UNIX users need to know to get productive fast! Learn how to login and logout; manage files and directories; and get help when you need it, and get out of trouble if you get into it. Work with the UNIX vi editor, print and format text, discover the X Window graphical user interface, work with E-mail, networks and the Internet. The accompanying Web site includes a Virtual Study Lounge where you can meet authors and other users; interactive testing modules that offer instant feedback; bonus projects and solutions; updates, new info, feedback areas and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Introduction Welcome to yet another introductory UNIX book. I'm glad you picked this one up, because I think you'll find it a bit different, and worth your time. Why is this book different? Well, it's one of the practical books, for starters. It concentrates on things you can do to learn to use UNIX. Every chapter is full of exercises and answers; every chapter ends with a project that makes use of what you've covered. And this book is supported in a way that others aren't. You're not alone in working on this book. If something in the book is giving you trouble, you can exchange solutions or hints with other readers (or me, even), just by going to the Web site or the newsgroup (more on those in a moment). There are three important topics that are not covered in this book, simply because every system (even every office!) does things differently. The topics are electronic mail, the World Wide Web, and Usenet news. There are other books that describe these topics in all their variety. Who This Book Is For This is a book for people who want to learn to use a UNIX computer system. It's not about programming, databases, Web surfing, or even popular networked shoot 'em-up games. Before you can do those things, you need to know the things in this book. This is a book of basics and tricks that you'll need. It's helpful if you've seen a computer (such as a PC) before, but it's not absolutely necessary. (Is there anyone left who hasn't seen a computer?) What is UNIX? There are two answers to this. 1. UNIX is a concurrent multitasking, multiuser computer-operating system. What does that mean? An operating system controls the computer's resources, distributing those resources among the different programs running on the computer. (On any UNIX system you use, there will always be more than one program running.) Although an operating system is itself a program, it isn't a program in the usual sense - you don't use the operating system the way you would use a word processor or a drafting program or a game. (By the way, the desire to play a game called "Space War" was one reason why the UNIX operating system was created, back in 1969.) Instead, the operating system provides the framework so the other programs can make use of the computer. To put it another way, if your spreadsheet is a car that gets you from here ("Here are the numbers") to there ("There are the answers"), then the operating system is the superstructure supporting that trip. It's the laws ("Right turn allowed on red light") and the control devices (one-way streets, and traffic lights). With those laws and support structures, thousands or millions of cars can share the roadways. Without the superstructure, collisions are inevitable. Multitasking means that more than one user-program can be run at once. (On a UNIX system, you can drive two cars at once, or drive a car and a skateboard.) And concurrent multiuser simply means that more than one user can use the machine at the same time. As with roads, you won't notice the effect until many users are using the system at once: too many users slow down everyone's trip. 2. The second answer is that UNIX is a registered trademark, licensed exclusively by The Open Group. That means that only systems that have passed certain tests given by The Open Group are allowed to call themselves UNIX systems. Since that testing (called "branding") costs oodles of money, there are a number of less expensive systems that look just like UNIX systems but aren't legally allowed to call themselves UNIX systems. Kind of like knowing how to drive but not being allowed to test for your license. (This includes systems such as LINUX and systems that conform to the POSIX standards.) In this book, I'm referring specifically to the Solaris operating system, which is a UNIX system, but almost everything I say is applicable to all of those other systems. If you think you already know everything in this book, maybe you're right. Consider reading one of the other Interactive Workbooks - there's a list of the series in the front of this book. What You'll Need You'll need access to a UNIX computer system. This means you need a shell account, and access to a terminal or a computer. You'll also need a pen or pencil and some paper. This book asks questions and expects you to answer them. Each chapter should take an hour or two; the early chapters take less time than the later chapters (and the chapter on the vi text editor will take the longest of all). How This Book Is Organized Each chapter contains a brief introduction and a series of Labs, and ends with a project that makes use of the information in the chapter. Suggested answers to the projects are found on the Web site, not in this book. Each Lab is organized in a similar way. After a brief introduction, there are a set of exercises and questions. (If you do the exercises, you can answer the questions.) After the questions for the Lab come the answers, and after the answers there's a multiple-choice quiz on the Lab. (Answers to the multiple-choice quizzes are in Appendix A.) As to the order of the chapters - you don't have to work on them in order. Obviously, I think you should; I put them in the order that makes the most sense to me. For example, if you're using a system with X Windows installed, you might want to do Chapter 13, "X Window System," right after you finish Chapter 2, "The Command Line." It's your book now and you can use it as you please. Some of the chapters fall into natural groups, and I do suggest you do the groups in sequence. You should work through Chapters 1-4 in sequence. They introduce the basic commands and concepts you'll use throughout the rest of the book. Chapters 5 and 6 ("Finding Help" and "Emergency Recovery") teach you how to find information when you need it, and how to recover from the kinds of minor emergencies you might encounter. Chapters 7 and 8 ("Finding Files" and "Regular Expressions") work together well. Honesty compels me to tell you that you could probably live your entire life without learning regular expressions, but I think they're well worth the effort. They make working with text much easier. You should do Chapter 9, "The vi Editor," because the vi editor is on every UNIX system. Even if you later go on to another editor later you should know at least how to exit the vi editor. Chapters 10 and 11 ("Working with Text Files" and "Printing Text Files") work together. Chapter 12 introduces a number of shortcuts and tricks to join commands together and to run more than one command at a time. Chapter 13, "The X Window System," describes the graphic user interface available with many UNIX systems. Conventions Used In This Book The following typographical conventions are followed in this book: cp file1 file2 A command you should enter into the computer $ echo $LOGNAME johnmc An example of output from the computer yourname Either an emphasized or defined word, or a placeholder, a word you should replace with a suitable value. You should be able to identify the questions in each section. There are also a few icons that help you locate important information: one for Advice, one for Tips, and one for the Web companion. About the Web Companion This book has a companion Web site, located at: phptr/phptrinteractive Think of the Web site as a student lounge, where you can go and find the answers to the projects or just chat with other students about the course or topics of interest. There's even a corner where the author (that would be me) presents items that didn't get into the book or answers questions or just possibly corrects a mistake. Visit the Web site periodically to share and discuss your answers.

From the Back Cover

9982k-9

Master the skills you need to get productive with UNIX-fast!

This hands-on workbook teaches you how to login and logout, set passwords, manage files and directories, and get help whenever you need it. Learn to use the UNIX vi editor, print and format text, and work with grep. Discover the X Windows graphical user interface-plus networks, the Internet, and more!

Totally integrated with a FREE, state-of-the-art UNIX learning Web site!

Every UNIX Interactive Workbook is fully integrated with its own exclusive Web site, giving you all this and more:

• "Test Your Thinking" project solutions and detailed explanations
• Author's Corner: Your personal connection to this book's expert author
• Additional self-review exercises with instant feedback and explanations
• An exclusive Virtual Study Lounge where you can interact with other students!

Just the facts! No endless, boring discussions here! You'll learn hands-on, through practical exercises, self-review questions and real-world answers. Exclusive "Test Your Thinking" projects guarantee you'll go beyond rote knowledge to really master the subject! It's an integrated learning system that's proven to work!

• Dozens of exercises cover the real world tasks that matter most!
• 100s of self-review questions and answers make sure you understand!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 600 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (November 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130998206
• ISBN-13: 978-0130998200
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,365,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, August 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: UNIX Users Interactive Workbook (Paperback)

I saw this book on amazon.com thought it was a good deal, went to Barnes and Noble store to look at it and realized it looks stupid. There are too many pargraphs not enough examples. I figured an interactive book would be INTERACTIVE. The users book did not even come with a cd. I searched and searched for the interactive part of it.

I bought "Unix Made Easy: Second Edition" instead. Many more examples and bigger typeface. If you arent into reading huge paragraphs to find the answer, dont bother with the Interactive books. They are all the same. Its a BIG BIG book, too much info, not enough examples.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn the basics and more with this easy hands-on guide., July 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: UNIX Users Interactive Workbook (Paperback)

I found this book and its format extremely easy to follow, especially for the UNIX newbie. The author clearly states in the Introduction that you'll need access to a UNIX system. This book is an invaluable resource to get going QUICKLY!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Concept of Interactive Web Sit great; execution Stinks, July 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: UNIX Users Interactive Workbook (Paperback)

I bought this book because it was interactive. I don't have access to a Unix account at this time. I expected a unix account at the web site. I would have been better served with a CD-Rom. Format of the book did not contribute to my learning -- especially where I have to hit the ground running. I would not recommend this book!