Everything is a File, the Book


"Everything is a File: From Zero to UNIX-like Hero"

A comprehensive guide that introduces readers to the fundamental concepts, history, and enduring impact of the UNIX operating system and its philosophy. This book is designed for enthusiasts at all levels, from beginners curious about the roots of modern computing to advanced users seeking to deepen their understanding of UNIX-like systems.

Part 1: The UNIX Philosophy

The book starts by exploring the UNIX philosophy, explaining its origins at AT&T's Bell Labs in the late 1960s. It describes the main principles of UNIX, like "Write programs that do one thing and do it well" and "Everything is a file," showing how these ideas influenced software and operating system development. This part also discusses UNIX's historical impact, including its role in the creation of Linux, BSD, and other UNIX-like systems.

Part 2: Setting Up Your UNIX-like Workstation

Shifting from conceptual discussion to practical application, the book walks readers through creating their own UNIX-like workstation. Detailed guides on installing and configuring FreeBSD, Linux, and OpenBSD are provided, explaining the unique features of each system to help readers make an informed choice that aligns with their needs. This section also introduces essential UNIX commands, techniques for navigating the file system, and the basics of system administration, laying a strong groundwork for novices and reminding more advanced users of the basics.

Part 3: Mastering the Command Line

With the workstation established, the focus shifts towards becoming proficient in command line use. Readers will learn about shell scripting, how to process text with utilities like sed and awk, and the basics of data management through piping and redirection. This portion of the book equips users with the skills to automate processes, manipulate data, and streamline their system management.

Part 4: What is a Daemon?

"Everything is a File" proceeds to guide readers through configuring server services, offering actionable advice on establishing and maintaining web servers (including Apache and Nginx), file servers (via NFS and Samba), and email servers. Additionally, this section touches on network security essentials, featuring firewall setup and SSH for protected remote access.

Part 5: Advanced Topics

The book wraps up by addressing more sophisticated topics, such as reading the documentation, and the manul pages, apropos, enhancing system performance, customizing the kernel, and implementing containerization through Docker. Additionally, it examines the realm of system programming and the significant influence of UNIX's design philosophies on contemporary software development practices.

Part 6: The Future of UNIX-like Systems

Ultimately, the book anticipates the future trajectory of UNIX-like systems, exploring present trends, the importance of open-source software, and the continuous influence of the UNIX philosophy on emerging developers and systems.