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Learning the Korn Shell 2nd Edition
The Korn shell is an interactive command and scripting
language for accessing Unix(R) and other computer systems.
As a complete and high-level programming language in itself,
it's been a favorite since it was developed in the mid 1980s
by David G. Korn at AT&T Bell Laboratories. Knowing how to
use it is an essential skill
for serious Unix users.
Learning the Korn Shell shows you how to use the Korn shell
as a user interface and as a programming environment.
Writing applications is often easier and quicker with Korn
than with other high-level languages. Because of this, the
Korn shell is the most often used shell in commercial
environments and among inexperienced users. There are two
other widely used shells, the Bourne shell and the C shell.
The Korn shell, or ksh, has the best features of both, plus
many new features of its own. ksh can do much to enhance
productivity and the quality of a user's work, both in
interacting with the system, and in programming. The new
version, ksh93, has the functionality of other scripting
languages such as awk, icon, Perl, rexx, and tcl.
Learning the Korn Shell is the key to gaining control of the
Korn shell and becoming adept at using it as an interactive
command and scripting language. Prior programming experience
is not required in order to understand the chapters on basic
shell programming. Readers will learn how to write many
applications more easily and quickly than with other
high-level languages. In addition, readers will also learn
about Unix utilities and the way the Unix operating system
works in general. The authors maintain that you shouldn't
have to be an internals expert to use and program the shell
effectively.
The second edition covers all the features of the current
version of the Korn shell, including many new features not
in earlier versions of ksh93, making it the most up-to-date
reference available on the Korn shell. It compares the
current version of the Korn shell to several other
Bourne-compatible shells, including several Unix emulation
environments for MS-DOS and Windows. In addition, it
describes how to download and build ksh93 from source code.
A solid offering for many years, this newly revised title
inherits a long tradition of trust among computer
professionals who want to learn or refine an essential
skill.
Preface
Chapter 1. Korn Shell Basics
What Is a Shell?
Scope of This Book
History of Unix Shells
Getting the 1993 Korn Shell
Interactive Shell Use
Files
Input and Output
Background Jobs
Special Characters and Quoting
Chapter 2. Command-Line Editing
Enabling Command-Line Editing
The History File
Emacs Editing Mode
Vi Editing Mode
The hist Command
Finger Habits
Chapter 3. Customizing Your Environment
The .profile File
Aliases
Options
Shell Variables
Customization and Subprocesses
Customization Hints
Chapter 4. Basic Shell Programming
Shell Scripts and Functions
Shell Variables
Compound Variables
Indirect Variable References (namerefs)
String Operators
Command Substitution
Advanced Examples: pushd and popd
Chapter 5. Flow Control
if/else
for
case
select
while and until
Chapter 6. Command-Line Options and Typed Variables
Command-Line Options
Numeric Variables and Arithmetic
Arithmetic for
Arrays
typeset
Chapter 7. Input/Output and Command-Line Processing
I/O Redirectors
String I/O
Command-Line Processing
Chapter 8. Process Handling
Process IDs and Job Numbers
Job Control
Signals
trap
Coroutines
Shell Subprocesses and Subshells
Chapter 9. Debugging Shell Programs
Basic Debugging Aids
A Korn Shell Debugger
Chapter 10. Korn Shell Administration
Installing the Korn Shell as the Standard Shell
Environment Customization
Customizing the Editing Modes
System Security Features
Appendix A. Related Shells
Appendix B. Reference Information
Appendix C. Building ksh from Source Code
Appendix D. AT&T ast Source Code License Agreement
Index
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