UNIX systems programming
by Kay A Robbins · first published 2003
75% recommend25% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Covers core UNIX programming topics such as IPC, threads, concurrency and sockets, serving as a solid reference for working engineers who want systems programming depth on Linux and BSD.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…analysis framework you can. These are a few system programming books that I use. (best intro book) GNU/Linux Application Programming https://www.amazon.com/GNU-Linux-Application-Programming/dp/... UNIX Systems Programming https://www.amazon.com/UNIX-Systems-Programming-Communicatio... Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Programming-UNIX-Environment... Windows System Programming https://www.amazon.com/Programming-Paperback-Addison-Wesley-...…
on “Secure C coding standards by SEI” ↗You may find UNIX Systems Programming: Communication, Concurrency and Threads by Kay Robbins & Steven Robbins useful.
on “Teaching C (2016)” ↗…smaller, hands on approach: Unix man pages. Look at /etc/init scripts. Minux OS source code/documentation[0]. Review / understand BSD version changes/differences. v1.0 to 4.4. Linux from scratch[1] "UNIX Systems Programming: Communication, Concurrency and Threads" by Kay A. Robbins & Steve Robbins "Expert C Programming, Deep C Secrets" by Peter Van Der Linden "Comprehensive C" by David Spuler Awk / shell programming from…
on “How do I study operating systems(CS subject) as a Linux systems administrator?” ↗…with the above you also need more detailed language/library specific implementation books; a) C++ Concurrency in Action by Anthony Williams. b) Programming with POSIX Threads by David Butenhof. c) UNIX Systems Programming: Communication, Concurrency and Threads by Kay Robbins and Steve Robbins.
on “Ask HN: Is Knuth's TAOCP worth the time and effort? (2023)” ↗…with lots of projects like shell, token ring etc. is Practical UNIX Programming: A Guide to Concurrency, Communication, and Multithreading by Kay Robbins and Steven Robbins. It's 2nd edition is named UNIX Systems Programming: Communication, Concurrency and Threads. The code given in the book is really illuminating.
on “Write a Shell in C (2015)” ↗…couple of books I'm enjoying so far: Think OCaml/How To Thinke Like A (Functional) Programmer - http://greenteapress.com/thinkocaml/thinkocaml.pdf (same author as all the other awesome Think X books!) Unix Systems Programming in OCaml - http://ocaml.github.io/ocamlunix/ People also say really great things about Real World OCaml but I haven't had a chance to go through it yet.
on “OCaml Compiler Hacking: how to add a primitive” ↗…real-world C experience (as opposed to just knowing it) as imperative for their career. That said, I am not sure exactly what level of C proficiency are you looking for. I am guessing, strong knowledge of UNIX Systems Programming (IPC, interfacing with the VM, etc...) and BSD sockets? You can only learn this through experience and/or working meticulously, through Richard Stevens' books (I _highly_ recommend the former, even if…
on “Ask HN: Do CS students enjoy C anymore?” ↗This book is dated - there was the kernel 2.4 and a lot of system calls were changed or removed - but I think it is one of the best book available on GNU/Linux system programming. I love "UNIX Systems Programming: Communication, Concurrency and Threads", it is simply great.
on “Advanced Linux Programming – book with free PDF (2001)” ↗…Initially, get the old 1st edition since it contains TCP/IP, IPC etc. all in one volume. * Advanced UNIX Programming by Marc Rochkind. * Advanced programming in the UNIX Environment by Richard Stevens. * UNIX Systems Programming by Robbins and Robbins. * Programming for the Real World, POSIX.4 by Bill Gallmeister.
on “Ask HN: How to learn proper systems programming?” ↗https://www.amazon.com/UNIX-Systems-Programming-Communicatio... Has several small projects, it is not a book for complete beginners though. There is also an old book which re-implements several Unix commands, but I cannot remember it's name and google…
on “Ask HN: Why are there so few good resources for learning C in 2021” ↗…settings in your xfree86 config so that you don't destroy the monitor. Get yourself a bulldog clip to hold that send book open to the page you are repeated referring to. When you graduate to Stephens' UNIX Systems Programming, the bulldog clip won't be needed. If your monitor doesn't stand tall enough, 4 reams of copy paper are much cheaper than the same thickness of X programming manuals.
on “Ask HN: How can a intermediate-beginner learn Unix/Linux and programming?” ↗Open BSD software source. UNIX Systems Programming: Communication, Concurrency and Threads: Communication, Concurrency and Threads 2nd Edition by K Robbins and S. Robbins minix from scrath [0]; linux from scratch[1]; [1] : https://www.linuxfromscratch.org/…