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Unix-Linux, Image source: www.sot.com/en/linux/ Unix is a 37 years old operating system. It is known as a reliable multi-user and multi-tasking system which is well scalable. The internet is based heavily on Unix technology. There are about 80 Unix flavours. Examples are AIX, FreeBSD, HP Unix, DarwinOSX, Linux, or Solaris.


A short list of unix commands.


Unix philosophy: (See also Simplicity, clarity, generality ).
  1. Small is beautiful
  2. Make each program do one thing well
  3. Build a prototype as soon as possible
  4. Choose portability over efficiency
  5. Store data in flat ASCII files
  6. Use shell scripts to increase portability
  7. Avoid captive user interfaces
  8. If possible, make a program a filter
  1. Allow the User to modify the environment.
  2. Use lower case and keep it short.
  3. Save Trees.
  4. Silence is golden.
  5. Think parallel.
  6. The sum of the parts is greater than the whole.
  7. Look for the 90 percent solution.
  8. Think hierarchically.
Adapted from the book: "The Unix Philosopy" by Mike Garantz, Digital Press, 1995.

Links and Books

Links Books
  • Kernighan and Pike: The Unix programming environment
  • Kirk Waingrow, Unix hints and Hacks


Simplicity, Clarity, Generality B.W. Kernighan, R. Pike, in "The Practice of Programming".
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