Those UNIX classics forgotten by the years

1. C Programming Language

Contents:

In the history of computer development, no programming language is as widely used as C. This book is an authoritative classic book on C, co-authored by Dennis M. Ritchie, one of the designers of C, and Brian W. Kernighan, a famous computer scientist. A large number of textbooks and monographs on C programming that we see now are based on this book. The C language introduced in the first edition of this book became the basis of the widely used version of C language later - Standard C. The well-known "hello, World" program was first introduced in this book. Now, this program has become the first course for many introductory programming languages.

About the Author

Brian W. Kernighan is a senior researcher at the Computer Science Research Center of Bell Labs and a well-known computer scientist. He participated in the development of the UNIX system, C language, AWK language and many other systems, and published many influential works in the computer field, including " Software Tools ", " The Elements of Programming Style ", " The Unix Programming Environment " , " The C Programming Language ", " The AWK Language ", " The Practice of Programming ", etc.

Rob Pike , currently one of the top software engineers at Google, was a member of the Unix development team at Bell Labs, the main leader of the development of the Plan9 operating system, and the main leader of the development of the Inferno operating system. He is the core figure in the creation of the Go language and the Limbo language.

User comments:

This is a small book of less than 200 pages, conveying a sense of simplicity, elegance, plainness and leisure.

Throwing Mr. Tan's book into the wastebasket is the only right choice. Kernihan's book is extremely concise and clear. I bought all of Kernihan's books that I could find, from "Unix Programming Environment" to "Programming Practice", and none of them disappointed me. Great author, representative of concise style, forever K&R.

It's effortless to read, and it's a pleasure to read. The language is concise and the words and sentences are clear. The examples are super classic! There are always times when you see the author's code and feel that it is so clever, so powerful, and so sophisticated! This kind of masterpiece, every code detail makes people sigh. You must practice. It's a cliché that reading and writing are two completely different things, but when you see the code in this book, you can't wait to practice it, just like seeing a martial arts secret book. Just reading it is not enough, and you are eager to find a quiet place to practice it.

2. UNIX Programming Environment

Contents:

The UNIX Programming Environment is a classic bestseller in the field of UNIX programming. The author adopts the attitude of "teaching people how to fish" and not only introduces the basic skills and programming standards of UNIX system programming, but also integrates the UNIX programming philosophy into it to help you understand the UNIX system more deeply.

"The UNIX Programming Environment" is a joint work of two UNIX masters, Brian W. Kernighan and Rob Pike. It is permeated with the design ideas of UNIX and inspires you to experience the mysteries of programming methods, ideas, and environment.

User comments:

A very practical introduction to Unix. There is absolutely no obscure corner in the book, and nothing is difficult to understand for beginners. However, the author's guiding ideology in designing Unix is ​​permeated between the lines, which is something that other introductory books cannot achieve. The bits and pieces mentioned in the book are all practical methods and guidelines, and these are filled with a whole day's work on Unix. Even experienced users will improve their work efficiency after studying this book.

After reading this book, I realized what the beauty of simplicity is. "Keep it simple" is the most perfect embodiment of this idea in UNIX. It is said that there are only 6 basic methods in the Unix kernel. Next stop: The Art of Unix Programming!

This is a classic programming book with many inspiring examples. This book focuses more on the establishment of "programming ideas". Reading it carefully will be of great help to your understanding of UNIX.

Although I have worked on Unix for many years, I can still appreciate the orthodox Unix ideas expressed by the author in the text when I reread this book. The book is not thick and is worth reading several times.

This is a book co-authored by two UNIX masters about UNIX programming methods, ideas and environment. It is the best textbook for beginners of UNIX/Linux. This book not only takes you into the world of UNIX, but also explains the minimalist philosophy of UNIX. Every time I see it on the bookshelf, I always have the urge to read it again.

If you want to learn UNIX environment programming in depth, but feel that "Advanced UNIX Environment Programming" is too thick and difficult to finish, and it is a bit difficult to read, then "UNIX Programming Environment" can help you and make you better in the UNIX world.

3. Data structure and algorithm analysis

Contents:

This book was rated as one of the 30 best computer books in the 20th century. The author, Mark Allen Weiss, has made outstanding achievements in data structure and algorithm analysis. His works on data structure and algorithm analysis are especially popular and widely praised. They have been used as textbooks in more than 500 universities around the world.

User comments:

I bought this book many years ago and moved to another workstation many times. It has always been a regular book in the office (although I rarely read it). The code used in it is not the so-called pseudo code, but the real C code that can be run. So if a newcomer can follow it and do it once, he should gain a lot.

This level of book is rare. It does not waste words on simple things, but just brings beginners into the world of algorithms and data structures. It basically covers "all aspects" of the basics of data structures. It is hard to imagine how thick this book is, and how much content it can cover (just look at how thick the introduction to algorithms is and you will know what I mean). It is not lacking in depth in content.

This book is really good! I personally feel that it is very suitable for beginners to read. The analytical mathematical formulas in it are just right. It is not as daunting as the introduction to algorithms, nor is it as hasty as domestic books. It not only learns data structures but also has just the right algorithm analysis, which is easy to resonate with people.

4. Programming Practice

Contents:

Brian W. Kernig and Rob Pike present their new book, The Practice of Programming, which will make programmers more efficient and productive. Here you will find the same insight and authority as in their classic, The Unix Programming Environment.

This book discusses practical, profound, and broadly significant ideas, techniques, and methods in programming from the aspects of troubleshooting, testing, performance, portability, design, interface, style, and notation.

User comments:

I have seen many book lists like #XX books that programmers must read# , and it seems that in almost all the recommended book lists, "The Practice of Programming" does not appear as a recommended book.

In today's world where technology blogs and books are full of trendy terms such as cloud computing and big data, the name of this book is not very eye-catching. Brian W. Kernighan, one of the authors, seems unfamiliar, but he also has a book, The C Programming Language, which is regarded as the Bible of C. I believe you must have heard of it. The other author, Rob Pike, may be even more unfamiliar, but he designed a very popular language recently: Go.

This is a book that firmly occupies the most prominent position on the classic bookshelf, and it is also one of the masterpieces of the KISS method. Apart from the existing best practices in the industry, this book also corrects many misconceptions in my memory. The names of Brian Kernighan and Rob Pike are naturally the biggest names in this book; but the author's pragmatic attitude is more worthy of learning for every serious programmer.

Although both are written by masters and are full of pearls, this book is really too unknown. It is just like doing business. Stores with good business will get better and better, while stores with poor business will only get more and more deserted. However, if you have not read this book, it is your own loss. This book has three strengths: 1. It is highly practical; 2. It is highly practical; 3. It is highly practical.

5. Advanced Programming in UNIX Environment

Contents:

This book explains and discusses the application technology of UNIX programming interface in detail, including system call interface and standard C function library. The book has distinct characteristics: it is the most rich and practical book of its kind; it provides a large number of application examples, most of which can be directly introduced into related program design; the interface application is closely integrated with the internal structure of UNIX.

This book was published in 1992 by W. Richard Stevens, an internationally renowned expert in UNIX and network technology. Since its publication, it has been widely welcomed and praised by readers, who believe it is "a must-read and frequently consulted reference book for those who are involved in programming in the UNIX environment." Dennis Ritchie, the original creator of UNIX, called it "a masterpiece that is recognized as excellent and ingenious."

User comments:

Rich Stevens is obviously not from the Bell Labs circle of Dennis Richie and Brian Kernighan. His in-depth understanding of Unix is ​​obtained by reading through manuals and studying the system. This entry point is the same as that of most of us users. Therefore, what we want to know may be exactly what Stevens cared about.

6. UNIX operating system design

Contents:

This book is a classic work that Linux Torvalds, the father of Linux, once read. In this book, the author describes the internal algorithms and structures that form the basis of the UNIX operating system, as well as their connection with the program interface. Although this book is based on UNIX System V, the algorithms and data structures introduced are not specifically targeted at any specific kernel, so to this day, this book is still a must-read or recommended textbook for operating system courses in many universities around the world. If readers want to learn UNIX, this book is still one of the best choices.

User comments:

This book is old, but you can't miss it - at least it is not outdated now in 2013. It shows readers the initial design and implementation of UNIX. Today's various *nix, including but not limited to various BSD, Solaris and Linux structures are derived from this. In addition, for students studying OS design, understanding the initial design of UNIX, an OS that has been popular for decades, may be able to gain some inspiration.

7. The Art of UNIX Programming

Contents:

This book mainly introduces the design and development philosophy, ideological and cultural system, principles and experience in the field of Unix systems. It was written by Eric S. Raymond, a recognized Unix programming master and one of the most famous figures in the open source movement, after many years of hard work. Many experts in the field, including the designer of Unix, also contributed valuable content to this book. The content of this book involves community culture, software development design and implementation, with a wide coverage and profound content, which fully demonstrates the author's extremely deep experience accumulation and domain wisdom.

User comments:

The KISS principle that runs through the whole process was taught to me many years ago. I always use it to warn myself in the design process. After reading this book, my understanding of KISS has been further sublimated. In fact, this book has had a great influence on my design of the game server architecture in the past few months. It has strengthened my determination to do one thing well every time I write a program.

I believe that for most Unix programmers, what is described in the book is basically the commonplace and practiced things every day. The reason why I read this book over and over again is to use it to shine on the great Win32 community that fills this universe and savor their stupidity. For a Unix programmer, this is a kind of black humor pastime. At the same time, it can vent the irritability and anxiety caused by Win32 speakers every day. This kind of venting made me fall in love with this book even more deeply.

For me, the criteria for judging a "classic" good book, in addition to the "shock" at the time of reading, also include whether I will go back to read it from time to time, and whether I will think of some of the arguments in the book from time to time. This book completely meets my criteria for a "classic" good book.

8. Analysis of Lion's UNIX Source Code

Contents:

In the 1970s and 1980s, several volumes of Leon's Source Code Analysis were the "underground publications" of the UNIX system that people circulated. When we examine this work today, although the code in it is outdated, most of the comments made by its annotators are still as good as ever. If you want to learn the principles of operating systems, you must read and understand the source code. Leon's work has enabled most of us to reach this step.

User comments:

Very good, this version of the code is very short, it can quickly improve your understanding of the operating system and your ability to read C language programs

A must-read book for learning operating systems. Although PDP-11 has been eliminated, many of the things in it are still the basis of modern Unix.

Most computer books are not worth collecting because of their short-lived validity, but this one is an exception.

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