The Unix Workbench

by Sean Kross

This book is intented for folks who are new to programming and new to Unix-like operating systems like macOS and Linux distributions like Ubuntu. Command line interfaces can seem alien at first, so this book attemps to draw parallels between using the command line and actions that you would normally take while using your computer’s graphical interface. To get the most out of using Unix tools, this book will show you how to write little pieces of software.

Software can’t be mined out of the ground, nor can software seeds be planted in spring to harvest by autumn. Software isn’t produced in factories on an assembly line. Software is a hand-made, often bespoke good. If a software developer is an artisan, then Unix is their workbench. Unix provides an essential and simple set of tools in a distraction-free environment. Even if you’re not a software developer learning Unix can open you up to new methods of thinking and novel ways to scale your ideas. My goal for this book is to help you get started with Unix by writing the book I would have wanted when I was first learning Unix.

243 pages, ebook

Published January 23, 2017

Reviews

[Jorge Cimentada · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part of the book are the exercises. Some of them really made you think and apply the concepts. However, the sections were sometimes jumping from one topic to another without a clear reasoning.

[Javad Ebadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sean Kross a PhD student at Johns Hopkins University, the writer of "The Unix Workbench" has done a wonderful job in writing an elementary book on Unix and Linux. I read this book, enjoyed it and I am going to use what I have learnt everyday. You will learn Unix, Linux, text editors , cloud computing , Git , Github and many other useful tools in Linux. Trust me, if you are a beginner then this is "the book" you want. It is for absolutely beginners.

[Roman]

The title of the book reflects its contents. You will learn to use UNIX as a workbench. There is no history of UNIX in the book. And about UNIX philosophy just a couple of pages. But there are a lot of practical tasks. I also took Coursera course.

[Miguel Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful, practical, motivational and inspiring book. It is notorious Mr. Sean Kross make the book with all the intention to share knowledge with people in a wonderful way. I feel impressed.

[Qin Zhong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could know this book earlier. Very helpful!

[Jefferson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Content wise, this is an accessible introduction to Unix. However, it does not go beyond familiarizing the reader with the interface to show the true power of Unix in practical applications. The book is also crammed with grammar & mechanics errors, and even though the writer invites corrections via Git(Hub), pull requests are basically ignored.

[Stephen Rynkiewicz]

Good exercises for getting more comfortable with the command line.