New Book: Linux Programming By Example

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Heather Fox writes

“Prentice Hall announces new book: Linux Programming by Example: The Fundamentals

Arnold Robbins, maintainer of gawk (GNU Awk), writes Linux Programming By Example to Teach Linux Programming through Model Programs and Practice Exercises

Upper Saddle River, NJ (April 22, 2004) – Prentice Hall PTR, the leading publisher of advanced technology books, announces the publication of Linux Programming By Example: The Fundamentals (ISBN 0131429647). This invaluable book is designed to teach Linux programming efficiently and transparently, by both employing and explaining well-written programs and emphasizing the programming principles of successful utilities. Each chapter concludes with exercises, such as modifying or writing code.

Robbins, who is well-known as the maintainer of gawk (GNU Awk), teaches the fundamental Linux system call APIs by presenting code from everyday production programs. This approach permits the reader to see how Linux APIs are used, in addition to getting a handle on practical issues such as performance, portability and robustness.

The basic APIs which Robbins covers, include: Memory Management, File input/output; File metadata; Processes and signals; Users and groups; Programming support (sorting, argument parsing); Internationalization and Debugging.

Several industry leaders provided praise quotes that are featured on the book’s cover. Chet Ramey, co-author and maintainer of the BASH Shell, provides this testimonial: “This is an excellent introduction to Linux programming. The topics are well-chosen and lucidly presented. I learned things myself, especially about internationalization, and I’ve been at this for quite a while.”

Author Arnold Robbins includes a note within the Preface addressing the book’s light saber theme; there is a light saber printed on the cover and at the start of each new chapter: http://www.phptr.com/title/0131429647

“In the hands of a Jedi Knight, a light saber is both a powerful weapon and a thing of beauty. Its use demonstrates the power, knowledge, control of the Force, and arduous training of the Jedi who wields it. The elegance of the light saber mirrors the elegance of the original UNIX API design. There, too, the studied, precise use of the APIs and the Software Tools and GNU design principles lead to today’s powerful, flexible, capable GNU/Linux system. This system demonstrates the knowledge and understanding of the programmers who wrote all its components.”

Arnold Robbins is a professional programmer and instructor. In addition to this latest book, Linux Programming By Example , Robbins is also author of UNIX In a Nutshell , Learning the Korn Shell and Effective awk Programming .

FORTHCOMING BOOKS from publisher Addison-Wesley/Prentice Hall PTR include:
1) Advanced UNIX Programming, Second Edition by Marc Rochkind (April 30, 2004) – ISBN 0131411543
http://www.phptr.com/title/0131411543

2) Cocoa Programming for MAC OS X , Second Edition by Aaron Hillegass (April 30, 2004) – ISBN 0321213149
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321213149/ qid%3D1079970871/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/102-8 804968-9612156

3) Understanding the Linux Virtual Memory Manager by Mel Gorman (April 23, 2004) – ISBN 0131453483
http://www.phptr.com/title/0131453483

To interview Robbins about programming in Linux and/or if you’re interested in writing a review of this book, please contact Prentice Hall PTR/Addison-Wesley Publicist Heather Fox at 201-236-7139 or email: heather.fox@pearsoned.com.

About Addison-Wesley/Prentice Hall PTR
Addison-Wesley (www.awprofessional.com) and Prentice Hall Professional Technical Reference (PH PTR) (www.phptr.com) are respected publishers of quality computer science and engineering books and software for technical professionals. Both imprints are units of Pearson Technology Group, the world’s largest provider of consumer and professional computer, information technology, engineering and reference content. Pearson Technology Group is an operating unit of Pearson Education, the world’s leading educational publisher. Pearson Education is part of Pearson plc (NYSE: PSO), the international media company.

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