Linux Programming Notes

UNIT-I

LINUX UTILITIES AND SHELL PROGRAMMING

I. Introduction to Linux:

Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open
source software development and distribution. The defining component of Linux is the Linux
kernel, an operating system kernel first released 5 October 1991 by Linus Torvalds.

Linux was originally developed as a free operating system for Intel x86-based personal
computers. It has since been ported to more computer hardware platforms than any other
operating system. It is a leading operating system on servers and other big iron systems such as
mainframe computers and supercomputers more than 90% of today's 500 fastest
supercomputers run some variant of Linux, including the 10 fastest. Linux also runs on
embedded systems (devices where the operating system is typically built into the firmware and
highly tailored to the system) such as mobile phones, tablet computers, network routers,
televisions and video game consoles; the Android system in wide use on mobile devices is
built on the Linux kernel.
Basic Features
Following are some of the important features of Linux Operating System.
 Portable - Portability means softwares can works on different types of hardwares in
same way. Linux kernel and application programs supports their installation on any
kind of hardware platform.
 Open Source - Linux source code is freely available and it is community based
development project. Multiple teams works in collaboration to enhance the
capability of Linux operating system and it is continuously evolving.
 Multi-User - Linux is a multiuser system means multiple users can access
system resources like memory/ ram/ application programs at same time.
 Multiprogramming - Linux is a multiprogramming system means multiple
applications can run at same time.
 Hierarchical File System - Linux provides a standard file structure in which system
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files/ user files are arranged.

 Shell - Linux provides a special interpreter program which can be used to execute
commands of the operating system. It can be used to do various types of operations,
call application programs etc.
 Security - Linux provides user security using authentication features like password
protection/ controlled access to specific files/ encryption of data.

Linux Advantages
1. Low cost: You don’t need to spend time and money to obtain licenses since Linux andmuch
of its software come with the GNU General Public License. You can start to
workimmediately without worrying that your software may stop working anytime because
thefree trial version expires. Additionally, there are large repositories from which you
canfreely download high quality software for almost any task you can think of.
2. Stability: Linux doesn’t need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance levels.
Itdoesn’t freeze up or slow down over time due to memory leaks and such. Continuous up-
times of hundreds of days (up to a year or more) are not uncommon.
3. Performance: Linux provides persistent high performance on workstations and
onnetworks. It can handle unusually large numbers of users simultaneously, and can
make oldcomputers sufficiently responsive to be useful again.
4. Network friendliness: Linux was developed by a group of programmers over the
Internet and has therefore strong support for network functionality; client and server
systems can be easily set up on any computer running Linux. It can perform tasks such as
network backups faster and more reliably than alternative systems.
5. Flexibility: Linux can be used for high performance server applications, desktop
applications, and embedded systems. You can save disk space by only installing the
components needed for a particular use. You can restrict the use of specific computers
by installing for example only selected office applications instead of the whole suite.
6. Compatibility: It runs all common Unix software packages and can process all common
file formats.
7. Choice: The large number of Linux distributions gives you a choice. Each distribution is
developed and supported by a different organization. You can pick the one you like best;
the
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core functionalities are the same; most software runs on most distributions.
8. Fast and easy installation: Most Linux distributions come with user-friendly installation
and setup programs. Popular Linux distributions come with tools that make installation of
additional software very user friendly as well.
9. Full use of hard disk: Linux continues work well even when the hard disk is almost full.
10.Multitasking: Linux is designed to do many things at the same time; e.g., a large
printing job in the background won’t slow down your other work.
11. Security: Linux is one of the most secure operating systems. “Walls” and flexible file
access permission systems prevent access by unwanted visitors or viruses. Linux users have
to option to select and safely download software, free of charge, from online repositories
containing thousands of high quality packages. No purchase transactions requiring credit
card numbers or other sensitive personal information are necessary.
12. Open Source: If you develop software that requires knowledge or modification of the
operating system code, Linux’s source code is at your fingertips. Most Linux
applications are Open Source as well.
Difference between UNIX and LINUX

Features LINUX UNIX

Cost Linux can be freely distributed, Different flavors of Unix have

downloaded freely, distributed different cost structures according
through magazines, Books etc. to vendors
There are priced versions for
Linux also, but they are
normally cheaper than
Windows.

Development Linux is developed by Open Unix systems are divided into

and Source development i.e. through various other flavors, mostly
Distribution sharing and collaboration of developed by AT&T as well as
code and features through various commercial vendors and
forums etc and it is distributed non-profit organizations.
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by various vendors.

Manufacturer Linux kernel is developed by Three bigest distributions are

the community. Linus Torvalds Solaris (Oracle), AIX (IBM) & HP-
oversees things. UX Hewlett Packard. And Apple
Makes OSX, an unix based os..

User Everyone. From home users to Unix operating systems were

developers and computer developed mainly for mainframes,
enthusiasts alike. servers and workstations except
OSX, Which is designed for
everyone. The Unix environment
and the client-server program
model were essential elements in
the development of the Internet

Usage Linux can be installed on a wide The UNIX operating system is used
variety of computer hardware, in internet servers, workstations &
ranging from mobile phones, PCs. Backbone of the majority of
tablet computers and video finance infastructure and many
game consoles, to mainframes 24x365 high availability solutions.
and supercomputers.

File system Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, Jfs, ReiserFS, jfs, gpfs, hfs, hfs+, ufs, xfs, zfs
support Xfs, Btrfs, FAT, FAT32, NTFS format

Text mode BASH (Bourne Again SHell) is Originally the Bourne Shell. Now
interface the Linux default shell. It can it's compatible with many others
support multiple command including BASH, Korn & C.
interpreters.

What is it? Linux is an example of Open Unix is an operating system that is

Source software development very popular in universities,
and Free Operating System companies, big enterprises etc.
(OS).

10
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GUI Linux typically provides two Initially Unix was a command

GUIs, KDE and Gnome. But based OS, but later a GUI was
there are millions of alternatives created called Common Desktop
such as LXDE, Xfce, Unity, Environment. Most distributions
Mate, twm, ect. now ship with Gnome.

Price Free but support is available for Some free for development use
a price. (Solaris) but support is available for
a price.

Security Linux has had about 60-100 A rough estimate of UNIX viruses
viruses listed till date. None of is between 85 -120 viruses reported
them actively spreading till date.
nowadays.

Threat In case of Linux, threat Because of the proprietary nature of

detection and detection and solution is very the original Unix, users have to
solution fast, as Linux is mainly wait for a while, to get the proper
community driven and bug fixing patch. But these are not
whenever any Linux user posts as common.
any kind of threat, several
developers start working on it
from different parts of the world

Processors Dozens of different kinds. x86/x64, Sparc, Power, Itanium,

PA-RISC, PowerPC and many
others.

Examples Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat, OS X, Solaris, All Linux

Debian, Archlinux, Android etc.

Architectures Originally developed for Intel's is available on PA-RISC and

x86 hardware, ports available Itanium machines. Solaris also
for over two dozen CPU types available for x86/x64 based
including ARM systems.OSX is PowerPC(10.0-
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10.5)/x86(10.4)/x64(10.5-10.8)

Inception Inspired by MINIX (a Unix-like In 1969, it was developed by a

system) and eventually after group of AT&T employees at Bell
adding many features of GUI, Labs and Dennis Ritchie. It was
Drivers etc, Linus Torvalds written in “C” language and was
developed the framework of the designed to be a portable, multi-
OS that became LINUX in tasking and multi-user system in a
1992. The LINUX kernel was time-sharing configuration
released on 17th September,
1991

Linux Distribution (Operating System) Names

A few popular names:
1.Redhat Enterprise Linux
2.Fedora Linux
3. Debian Linux
4. Suse Enterprise
Linux 5.Ubuntu Linux
Common Things Between Linux & UNIX
Both share many common applications such as:
1.GUI, file, and windows managers (KDE, Gnome)
2.Shells (ksh, csh, bash)
3. Various office applications such as OpenOffice.org
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4. Development tools (perl, php, python,

GNU c/c++ compilers) 5.Posix interface
Layered Architecture:

Linux System Architecture is consists of following layers

 Hardware layer - Hardware consists of all peripheral devices (RAM/ HDD/ CPU
etc).
 Kernel - Core component of Operating System, interacts directly
with hardware, provides low level services to upper layer
components.
 Shell - An interface to kernel, hiding complexity of kernel's
functions from users. Takes commands from user and executes
kernel's functions.
 Utilities - Utility programs giving user most of the
functionalities of an operating systems.