Mastering UNIX Shell Scripting (Paperback)

by Randal K. Michael (Author) "We are going to start out by giving a very targeted refresher course..." (more)
Key Phrases: shell script listing, ksh shell script, stale partitions, Randy Michael, Device Specific, Swap Space Used (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
* Provides readers with end-to-end shell scripts that can be used to automate repetitive tasks and solve real-world system administration problems
* Targets the specific command structure for four popular UNIX systems: Solaris, Linux, AIX, and HP-UX
* Illustrates dozens of example tasks, presenting the proper command syntax and analyzing the performance gain or loss using various control structure techniques
* Web site includes all the shell scripts used in the book

From the Back Cover
Discover how to solve real-world system administration problems with this collection of end-to-end shell scripts

This comprehensive book takes you step-by-step through the process of writing shell scripts to solve real-world Unix problems and tasks. Each chapter begins by presenting a typical Unix challenge that you’ll most likely experience at your job. With each challenge, you’ll learn how to identify a specific goal and start the shell script by defining the correct command syntax to solve the problem. You’ll find out how to build the shell script around the commands, filter the commands output to strip out the unneeded data, and add options that give users more flexibility on the command line.

The approach used will teach you how to attack problems logically. It will also empower you to take the basic command syntax and turn it into a shell scripting solution.

Throughout the book, you’ll find end-to-end shell scripts that you can use to automate repetitive tasks and solve real-world system administration problems. These tasks include:

• Communications such as automated event notification, monitoring processes locally and on remote systems, and automated FTP file transfers
• Information gathering and monitoring for file systems, paging/swap space, system load, applications, processes, and capturing the system’s configuration
• Print queue management to keep the printers printing
• Floating point mathematics in shell scripts using the bc utility

The companion Web site contains all of the shell scripts and most of the functions that are discussed in the book as well as bonus shell scripts for various tasks.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471218219
• ISBN-13: 978-0471218210
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #557,382 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #27 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Operating Systems > Unix > Shell
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Exclusively KORN shell, October 15, 2003

By	Stephen Doonan "music, art and linux enthusiast" (Portales, NM United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are interested in Bourne or Bash shell programming, be aware that this book focuses exclusively on the Korn shell (ksh or "ksh93"). The Korn shell is a superset of the Bourne shell, but if you want to write scripts for sh (Bourne) or bash, another book might be more appropriate.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best in the shelf, May 31, 2004

By	Sanjoy Basu (Northglenn, CO United States) - See all my reviews

Mastering UNIX Shell Scripting is a must for all Unix Administrator. The beauty of this book is it teaches shell script with practical examples which are required in day to day life of a System Admin. Unlike many shell scripting book it just not talks about syntax but also explains whats happening behind the curtain.
Inspite of all praises the reason for giving 4 stars is due to the fact that its not meant for beginners. For serious shell script writers this book deserve 5 star rating

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book rocks!!!, March 5, 2004

By	Eric L. Yen (Covia, CA USA) - See all my reviews

We wanted to automate a couple of tasks at the Unix level.
So I went looking for a Unix Shell script book. This books covers learning by doing. Real Life examples can be used and are not of the "Hello World" type. By covering on skill at a time and building on the previous skill you can learn how to shell script quickly