Unix in easy steps

by Mike McGrath

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781840786224
Publisher:	In Easy Steps Limited
Publication date:	05/27/2014
Series:	In Easy Steps
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Mike McGrath gained his extensive knowledge of computer languages while working as a developer contracting to companies around the world. Mike is an established In Easy Steps author with several guides to his credit including: C++; Javascript, Java, Linux, PHP, SQL and Visual Basic Express. He lives in Manchester, U.K.

Table of Contents

1 Getting started 7

Introducing Unix 8

Discovering the shell 10

Understanding commands 12

Navigating directories 14

Dealing wildcards 16

Recognizing metacharacters 18

Quoting phrases 20

Getting help 22

Summary 24

2 Managing files 25

Creating folders 26

Arranging files

Adding links 30

Examining properties 32

Comparing files 34

Finding files 36

Compressing files 38

Making backups 40

Summary 42

3 Handling text 43

Reading and writing 44

Redirecting output 46

Seeking strings 48

Sorting order 50

Arranging columns 52

Matching expressions 54

Editing text 56

Inserting text 58

Summary 60

4 Editing commands 61

Amending characters 62

Changing lines 64

Completing commands 66

Adjusting characters 68

Inserting text 70

Repeating history 72

Fixing commands 74

Expanding history 76

Summary 78

5 Customizing environment 79

Switching users 80

Setting permissions 82

Adding colors 84

Creating aliases 86

String options 88

Modifying variables 90

Changing prompts 92

Adjusting paths 94

Summary 96

6 Controlling behavior 97

Disabling defaults 98

Formatting output 100

Reading input 102

Substituting commands 104

Managing jobs 106

Killing processes 108

Communicating routines 110

Relating shells 112

Summary 114

7 Performing Operations 115

Storing values 116

Filling arrays 118

Handling strings 120

Doing arithmetic 122

Assigning values 124

Comparing values 176

Assessing logic 28

Matching patterns 130

Summary 132

8 Directing flow 133

Examining conditions 134

Providing alternatives 136

Testing Cases 138

Iterating for 140

Selecting options 142

Looping while 144

Looping until 146

Breaking out 148

Summary 150

9 Employing functions 151

Creating scripts 152

Displaying variables 154

Inputting values 156

Providing options 158

Restricting scope 160

Repeating calls 162

Locating bugs 164

Randomizing numbers 166

Summary 168

10 Handy reference 169

Special characters 170

Commands A-D 172

Commands D-F 174

Commands G-L 176

Commands L-S 178

Commands S-U 180

Commands U-Z 182

Date formats 184

Shell variables 186

Index 187