Practical Guide to Solaris, A

Description

• Copyright 2000
• Edition: 1st

• Book
• ISBN-10: 0-201-89548-X
• ISBN-13: 978-0-201-89548-3

Written by best-selling author Mark G. Sobell, A Practical Guide to Solaris enables both novice and experienced users to quickly learn Sun Microsystems' popular Solaris operating system. Designed to maximize accessibility, the book is divided into three parts. Part I is a tutorial that brings novice users--those with no UNIX/Solaris background, or no programming experience at all--quickly up to speed. Part II is geared toward intermediate and advanced users. Part III is a comprehensive reference guide covering more than ninety Solaris utilities with a clarity of explanation and range of examples not available from any other source.

A Practical Guide to Solaris provides invaluable information on the following:

• Solaris 7 (a.k.a. Solaris 2.7), as well as Solaris 2.6 and earlier versions for Intel and SPARC hardware. For beginning and experienced end users and C and shell programmers using either a command line or GUI interface.
• Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs). Learning and using the X Window System and the CDE and OpenLook desktop managers. Offers extensive discussions of CDE and X customization.
• Networking, the Internet, and the World Wide Web. Explains what a network is, how it works, and how you can use it. Discusses types of networks, network implementations, distributed computing, how to use the network for communicating with other users, and using various networking utilities (such as rcp, telnet, ftp, nslookup, and more).
• Shells. Describes how to use the Bourne (sh), C (csh), and Korn (ksh) Shells as interactive command interpreters and as programming languages so you can write shell scripts. Extensive coverage of builtin commands, shell variables, options, customization, functions, and programming techniques.
• System Administration. Covers system operation from SPARC PROM mode/booting an Intel x86 through multiuser mode; types of files, including
• symbolic links and special files; adding and removing users, printers, devices and drivers; installing software, sharing and backing up filesystems, network services, system reports (sar, iostat, and more) and admintool; installing patches and system software; and problem solving.
• Programming Tools and Concepts. Covers both the Solaris (cc) and GNU (gcc) C compilers, debugging (lint and gcc warnings), shared libraries, make, SCCS, and more.

These essential topics are presented in a clear, easy-to-understand format with the help of the following:

• Examples. Both interactive and shell script examples are used throughout Parts I and II to provide added insight into Solaris features. Part III includes examples of more than ninety Solaris utilities.
• Tutorials. Step-by-step tutorials cover the vi, dtpad (CDE), and textedit (OpenLook) text editors; the dtmail (CDE), mailtool (OpenLook), and pine mail programs; the pine and Netscape newsreaders; the Netscape browser; and how to use a search engine. All tutorials are illustrated with real-world examples so you can practice as you read.
• Appendixes and Glossary. These cover regular expressions, POSIX standards, and security. The Help! appendix provides assistance on using your hardware and for locating, downloading, and installing Sun, public, and GNU software (including gzip and gcc).
• A Web site (www.sobell.com). Maintained by the author, this site provides help in locating Solaris documentation, software, patches, and free items, as well as corrections to, and downloadable examples from, this book.

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Sample Content

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION TO SOLARIS.

 1. The Solaris Operating System.
 2. Getting Started.
 3. The Solaris Utilities.
 4. The Solaris Filesystem.
 5. The Shell I.

II. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED SOLARIS.

 6. Graphical User Interfaces.
 7. Networking and the Internet.
 8. The vi Editor.
 9. The emacs Editor.
10. The Shell II (sh).
11. Bourne Shell Programming.
12. The C Shell.
13. The Korn Shell and Advanced Shell Programming.
14. Programming Tools.
15. System Administration.

III. THE SOLARIS UTILITY PROGRAMS.

Appendix A. Regular Expressions.
Appendix B. Help!
Appendix C. Security.
Appendix D. The POSIX Standards. 020189548XT04062001

Preface

This book is practical because it uses tutorial examples that show you what you will see on your terminal, workstation, or terminal emulator screen each step of the way. It is a guide because it takes you from logging in on your system (Chapter 2) through writing complex shell programs (Chapters 11, 12, and 13), using sophisticated software development tools (Chapter 14), and administrating a system (Chapter 15). Part III is a reference guide to more than 90 Solaris utilities. This Practical Guide is intended for people with some computer experience but little or no experience with a Solaris/UNIX system. However, more experienced Solaris/UNIX system users will find Parts II and III to be useful sources of information on subjects such as GUIs, basic and advanced shell programming, editing, C programming, debugging, source code management, networks, the Internet, the World Wide Web, and Solaris system administration.

Audience

This book appeals to a wide range of readers. As a minimum it assumes some experience with a PC or a Mac, but it does not require any programming experience. It is appropriate for

• Users of both single- and multiuser Solaris systems
• Students taking a class about Solaris
• Students taking any class in which they use Solaris
• Computer science students studying the Solaris Operating System
• People who want to run Solaris at home
• Professionals who want to use Solaris at work
• Programmers who need to understand the Solaris programming environment

Benefits

You will come away from this book with a broad knowledge of Solaris and how to use it in day-to-day work. Whether you are a C or Shell programmer or a user who wants to run application programs, this book will give you the knowledge to proceed. A Practical Guide to Solaris gives you a broad understanding of Solaris, including how to administer, maintain, and update the system. It will remain a valuable reference tool for years to come.

Scope of Coverage and Features

A Practical Guide to Solaris covers a wide range of topics, from writing simple shell scripts to recursive shell programming; from local email to using Netscape to browse the World Wide Web; from using simple utilities to source code management using SCCS; from using a system to administrating one. The following section highlights some of the features of this book and is followed by more in-depth discussions of some of these features.

Features

• Full coverage of Sunis GUIs: Common Desktop Environment (CDE) and OpenLook Window Manager (olwm)
• Tutorials on key topics (vi, CDE editor, Netscape, and more)
• Discusses terminal emulation (logging in from a PC or other emulator)
• Appendixes covering
• --Regular expressions
• --Help: covers finding and downloading software, login information, basic GUI information
• --Security
• --POSIX
• Covers important GNU tools such as gcc and gzip
• Covers the emacs and vi editors (one complete chapter on each)
• Part III covers the use of over 90 utilities including many examples.

Solaris

• Compatible with all releases of Solaris 2.x through System 7 (Solaris 2.7)
• A complete discussion of the Solaris filesystem
• A discussion of the SPARC PROM Mode
• Coverage of both the Intel (x86) and SPARC versions of Solaris
• Discusses SPARC and x86 (Intel) Boot procedures
• Covers both the CDE and OpenLook GUI interfaces
• Covers AnswerBook2 including installation and running from the CDROM (System 7 only)

Internet

• Broad Internet coverage including Netscape, ftp, downloading software and documentation using a search engine, and constructing a simple HTML page
• Complete instructions on obtaining and using free software: finding, downloading (using Netscape or ftp), decompressing, compiling, and installing software from the Internet
• Guidance on using ping, whois, nslookup, traceroute, and more
• Getting online documentation from many sources (local and Internet)

Tutorials

• vi editor
• dtmail mail program (CDE)
• mailtool mail program (Open Look)
• dtpad text editor (CDE)
• textedit text editor (Open Look)
• pine as a mail program
• pine as a newsreader
• Netscape as browser
• Netscape as a newsreader
• How to use a search engine

Assistance

• Many examples throughout
• Comprehensive index
• Caution boxes warn you of the consequences of taking certain actions
• Security boxes caution you where security may be breached
• Tip boxes give you helpful hints
• Appendix B, Help!, written in FAQ style covers (partial list):
• --Internet addresses of where you can obtain additional software (some free)
• --Downloading software from the Internet
• --Decompressing, compiling, and installing software obtained from the Internet
• --Basic login and GUI information to help you get started
• --Setting up special keyboard keys

The Shells

• Thorough shell coverage including an introductory shell chapter as well as chapters on the Bourne Shell (sh), the C Shell (csh), and the Korn Shell (ksh). Coverage includes both interactive use of the shells and programming.
• Korn Shell coverage of the coprocess, with examples

The X Window System

• Window managers
• Bringing up and shutting down the X Window System
• Setting X resources
• Using the X Window System
• Customizing the X Window System
• Remote Computing and Local Displays

Common Desktop Environment (CDE) Desktop Manager

• Window Manager (dtwm)
• Creating and using Actions
• File Manager (dtfile)
• Front panel use and customization
• Editing (dtpad)
• Mail (dtmail)
• Building Menus (dtwm)
• Windows
• Terminal emulation
• Style Manager
• Login Manager
• Initialization files used to customize CDE

OpenLook Window Manager (olwm)

• Workspace Menu
• File Manager
• Customizing the desktop
• Help viewer
• Customizing menus

System Administration

• Using pkginfo, pkgadd, and pkgrm to add/remove software packages
• Adding and removing users
• Using patchadd/installpatch to install patches to the system
• Adding local and remote printers
• Installing AnswerBook2
• Using admintool for system administration
• Using ufsdump and ufsrestore to back up and restore files
• Sharing files with other machines (RFS, NFS)
• Coverage of ACL (Access Control List) permissions
• Security issues
• The PROCFS filesystem
• Configuring and booting the system (both SPARC and x86)
• Adding and removing devices and drivers
• Performing a reconfigure reboot
• Disk capacity planning and partitioning
• Setting up network files
• Running system reports (sar, iostat, vmstat, netstat, mpstat, top)

Programming Environment

• Using SCCS (source code management)
• Using make
• Using the Sun C compiler (cc) as well as the GNU C compiler (gcc)
• Using both the dbx and gdb debuggers
• Using shared libraries

Parts I, II, and III

A Practical Guide to Solaris shows you how to use Solaris from your terminal. Part I comprises Chapters 1 through 5, which introduce the new user to Solaris: introduction, getting started, basic utilities, filesystem structure, and the shell. Part I contains step-by-step tutorials covering the most important aspects of the Solaris operating system.

Part II comprises Chapters 6 through 15, which cover intermediate and advanced aspects of Solaris: GUI interfaces, networking, the vi and emacs editors, the Bourne, C, and Korn Shells and shell scripts, programming, and system administration.

Part III offers a comprehensive, detailed reference to more than 90 Solaris utilities, with numerous examples. If you are already familiar with the Solaris/UNIX system, this part of the book will be a valuable, easy-to-use reference. If you are not an experienced user, you will find Part III a useful supplement while you are mastering the subjects and tutorials in Parts I and II.

Tip: If you have used a Solaris/UNIX system before, you may want to skim over Chapters 2 and 3 or even all of Part I.

The more advanced material in each chapter is presented in sections marked iOptional,i which you are encouraged to return to after mastering the more basic material presented in the chapter. Review exercises are included at the end of each chapter for readers who want to hone their skills. Some of the exercises test the readeris understanding of material covered in the chapter, while others challenge the reader to go beyond the material presented to develop a more thorough understanding.

Organizing Information

In Chapters 2, 3, and 4, you will learn how to create, delete, copy, move, and search for information using Solaris utilities. You will also learn how to use the Solaris file structure to organize the information you store on your computer.

Electronic Mail and Telecommunications

Chapters 2 and 3 and Part III include information on how to use utilities (pine, talk, write, and the graphical mail programs dtmail and mailtool) to communicate with users on your system and other systems. Chapter 7 details how to address electronic mail to users on remote, networked systems.

Using the Shell

Chapter 5 shows you how to redirect output from a program to the printer, to your terminal, or to a fileojust by changing a command. You will also see how you can use pipes to combine utilities to solve problems right from the command line.

Advanced Shell Coverage Including Shell Programming

Once you have mastered the basics of Solaris, you can use your knowledge to build more complex and specialized programs using a shell programming language (shell scripts). Chapter 10 picks up where Chapter 5 leaves off. It covers more advanced aspects of working with a shell, using the Bourne Shell for examples. Chapter 11 shows you how to use the Bourne Shell to write scripts composed of Solaris system commands. Chapter 12 covers the C Shell. Chapter 13 covers the Korn Shell, which combines many of the popular features of the C Shell (such as history and aliases) with a programming language similar to that of the Bourne Shell. This chapter also covers many concepts of advanced shell programming. The examples in Part III also demonstrate many features of the utilities you can use in shell scripts.

Using Programming Tools

Chapter 14 introduces you to Solarisis exceptional programming environment. This chapter describes how to use some of the most useful software development tools: cc (Solaris C compiler), gcc (the GNU C compiler), make, the Source Code Control System (SCCS), and the dbx and gdb debuggers. The make utility automates much of the drudgery involved in ensuring that a program you compile contains the latest versions of all program modules. SCCS help you to track the versions of files involved in a project. The dbx and gdb debuggers help you get your programs running correctly.

Networking, the Internet, and the World Wide Web

Chapter 7 explains what a network is, how it works, and how you can use it. It tells you about types of networks, various network implementations, distributed computing, how to use the network for communicating with other users, and using various networking utilities (such as rcp, telnet, ftp, pine, nslookup, and more). This chapter also discusses the use of the Internet and shows, with examples, how to use a browser (Netscape) and a search engine (AltaVista) and how to create a very simple page on the Web.

Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)

Chapter 6 discusses the X Window system, how to open and control windows, how to customize your X work environment, and how to use and customize the CDE and OpenLook window managers.

The Korn Shell and Advanced Shell Programming

Chapter 13 covers many of the features of this powerful shell. It extends the concepts of shell programming introduced in Chapter 11 into more advanced areas, including more information on the locality of variables, recursion, and the coprocess.

The vi Editor

The screen-oriented vi editor, which was originally a part of Berkeley UNIX, is still one of the most widely used text editors. Chapter 8 starts with a tutorial on vi and goes on to explain how to use many of the advanced features of vi, including special characters in search strings, the general-purpose and named buffers, parameters, markers, and executing commands from vi. The chapter concludes with a summary of vi commands.

The emacs Editor

Produced and distributed (for minimal cost) by the Free Software Foundation, the GNU emacs editor has grown in popularity and is available for Solaris. Chapter 9 includes information on emacs versions 19 and above and the X Window System, allowing you to use a mouse and take advantage of X Window System features such as cut and paste with emacs. This chapter explains how to use many of the features of this versatile editor, from a basic orientation to the use of the META, ALT, and ESCAPE keys; key bindings, buffers, the concept of Point, the cursor, Mark, and Region, incremental and complete searching for both character strings and regular expressions; using the online help facilities, cutting and pasting (from the keyboard and with a mouse), and using multiple windows; and C Mode, which is designed to aid a programmer in writing and debugging C code. The chapter concludes with a summary of emacs commands.

Job Control

The job control commands, which originated on Berkeley UNIX, allow a user to work on many jobs at once from a single window, and switch back and forth between the jobs as desired. Job control is available under the Job, C, and Korn Shells.

Shell Functions

A feature of the Bourne and Korn Shells, shell functions enable you to write your own commands that are similar to the aliases provided by the C Shell, only more powerful.

Source Code Management: SCCS

The Source Code Control System is a convenient set of tools that enables programmers to track multiple versions of files on a number of different types of projects.

POSIX

The IEEE POSIX committees have developed standards for programming and user interfaces based on historical UNIX practice, and new standards are under development. Appendix D describes these standards and their direction and effect on the UNIX industry.

System Administration

Chapter 15 explains the inner workings of the Solaris system. It details the responsibilities of the Superuser and explains how to bring up and shut down a Solaris system, add users to the system, back up files, set up new devices, check the integrity of a filesystem, and more. This chapter goes into detail about the structure of a filesystem and explains what administrative information is kept in the various files.

Using Utilities

The Solaris system includes hundreds of utilities. Part III contains extensive examples of how to use many of these utilities to solve problems without resorting to programming in C (or another language). The example sections of nawk (over 20 pages, starting on page 820) and sort (page 891) give real-life examples that demonstrate how to use these utilities alone and with other utilities to generate reports, summarize data, and extract information.

Regular Expressions

Many UNIX utilities allow you to use regular expressions to make your job easier. Appendix A explains how to use regular expressions, so that you can take advantage of some of the hidden power of your Solaris system.

Supplements

The author's home page (www.sobell.com) contains downloadable listings of the longer programs from the book; current pointers to many interesting and useful Solaris sites on the World Wide Web; a list of corrections to the book; and a solicitation for corrections, comments, suggestions, and additional programs and exercises.

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