GNU/Linux Application Programming (Programming Series)

Linux Kernel Development (2nd Edition)

Linux Application Development (2nd Edition)

Linux Device Drivers, 3rd Edition

Building Embedded Linux Systems

Programming

Linux Programming by Example : The Fundamentals

Format: Paperback
Author: Arnold Robbins
ReleaseDate: 12 April, 2004
Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR
Rating:

Quality book, a keeper
While the kernel book is not a good one at all, this one is a true gem. I learned about this book from its sister book, Linux Kernel Primer: A Top-Down Approach for x86 and PowerPC Architecture. The writing is clear, lucid, and the examples are from the real world and thoroughly explained. In contrast, the kernel book gives overly broad and general introduction to a subject and then dives into the source code with disconnected commenting; there is such a big gap between the intro and the source code that it's not readable at all.
The auther Arnold Robinns also wrote a few other great books, including Learning the vi Editor and Learning the Korn Shell. With the achievement of this book, he ranks near the great, late Richard Stevens in terms of writing quality.

Great real world examples
In each part the author explains and gives several examples of functions, systems calls and APIs that will help the Linux programmer. Linux Programming by Example: The Fundamentals is a great book that covers three main concepts in Linux programming: files, processes and debugging. He also includes several real world examples of how these concepts are implemented. Here are the some things that I found interesting:

The Good: 1) This book really focuses on the use of standards and good program design. Right from the beginning, the author goes out of his way to make the reader aware of standards from ISO and POSIX and how they apply to good programming and design. Along this line I also like that the author explains the benefits of - and promotes - the use of Gnu software. Being an avid Gnu user myself (as most Linux users are) I agree that Gnu software is generally better software.
2) I feel that knowledge is power, and the author goes along with this idea by showing how some things should *not* be done. He often points out several functions that are available but should be avoided. I appreciated this, and feel that it makes the reader an all-around better programmer. The author also frequently gives extra information and history which helps explain why things are the way they are. This was especially useful when explaining mount points and types of file system.
3) I liked the fact that the author uses real world examples to demonstrate the ideas being presented. I really appreciated the fact that he uses V7 code (older, smaller and less comlex code) to demonstrate his examples. This allowed me to be able to see how the features were implemented in simple code, without being overwhelmed by the modern equivalents. A great example is the V7 echo program - only 23 lines!

The Bad: There weren't too many things that I didn't like about this book, but if my arm was twisted I would say the following: 1) This book is called *Linux* Programming but really it is about Unix programming. I know they are similar, and maybe I am splitting hairs here, but the title could really be *Unix* Programming. Most of this stuff is generic Unix programming, and the author points out the special exceptions not only for Linux but for other Unix variants as well - such as BSD.
2) Don't confuse the word "Fundamental" with "Beginning. " This book really isn't for beginning Linux programmers, but rather it teaches basic (or fundamental) concepts that Linux programmers should know and use. The reader needs to be moderately familiar with the C programming language if he or she is to be edified.

A great read, with some excellent examples of well written Linux programs. If you are interested in moving beyond basic Linux programming then you should definitely pick up a copy of this book!.

An invaluable resource


Robbins has supplied the reader with a vast number of
programs and a lot of elucidation. This is an exceptionally fine book. This is a primer in
Linux programming, but also serves as a tract on UNIX
programming. The illustrations stem, for the most part,
from actual GNU and Linux code.

This is an invaluable resource for those converting from
another system to Linux.