Overview
Fun and functional Linux, Mac OS X and UNIX shell scripts
The UNIX shell is the main scripting environment of every Linux, Mac OS X and UNIX system, whether a rescued laptop or a million-dollar mainframe. This cookbook of useful, customizable, and fun scripts gives you the tools to solve common Linux, Mac OS X and UNIX problems and personalize your computing environment. Among the more than 100 scripts included are an interactive calculator, a spell checker, a disk backup utility, a weather tracker, and a web logfile analysis tool. The book also teaches you how to write your own sophisticated shell scripts by explaining the syntax and techniques used to build each example scripts. Examples are written in Bourne Shell (sh) syntax.
Synopsis
The 101 scripts, written in Bourne Shell (sh) syntax, help to improve existing tools on all Linux, Mac OS X, and UNIX systems, and let users create new tools that are missing from ordinary systems.
The scripts include:
- An interactive spell checker that identifies and fixes spelling and typing errors in any document
- A disk backup utility that keeps files safe in the event of a system crash
- Web logfile analysis tools that measure the traffic to a web site, identify the most popular pages, and report any errors
- A weather tracker that reports the current temperature and UV Index, as well as facts like population and latitude and longitude
- Shell script games, including the old favorite, Hangman
- And 96 more!
With thorough explanations of the syntax and techniques used to build the example scripts that show readers how to write their own sophisticated shell scripts, Wicked Cool Shell Scripts is a must have for any geek, wanna-be, or computer aficionado. As Taylor describes it, "this book is for everyone from system administrators looking for new tips and tricks to the savvy home user who enjoys pushing their skills envelope, and it's great fun too!"
Slashdot.org
This incredibly fun book (really!), written by Dave Taylor, a veteran UNIX, Solaris and Mac OS X author, is chock full of 101 scripts to customize the UNIX (Bourne) shell. ... Sysadmins and webmasters will find this book fundamentally critical to day-to-day operations; there are dozens of invaluable, customizable scripts highlighted in this book to enable professionals to save time and add simple, elegant solutions to annoying issues in their work environment. User account management, rotating log files, cron scripts, web page tweaks, apache passwords, synchronizing via ftp, etc. are all eminently useful and tweakable.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewYou can make UNIX friendlier, more personal, and even more powerful. It just takes a little shell scripting skill, and a little inspiration. This book delivers both.
You’ll find 101 fascinating, non-trivial scripts here (most Bourne, with a little bash). There are scripts for sysadmins (including a disk quota system that automatically emails violators). There are loads of UNIX tweaks, including “unremove,” and a more useful ls. There are dozens of web scripts -- including tools for extracting a page’s URLs, or emailing you when a page changes content, or helping you analyze traffic logs. And for Macfolk, a full chapter of OS X scripts (even one for iTunes). Wicked cool, indeed. Bill Camarda
Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2003 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.
Slashdot.org
This incredibly fun book (really!), written by Dave Taylor, a veteran UNIX, Solaris and Mac OS X author, is chock full of 101 scripts to customize the UNIX (Bourne) shell. ... Sysadmins and webmasters will find this book fundamentally critical to day-to-day operations; there are dozens of invaluable, customizable scripts highlighted in this book to enable professionals to save time and add simple, elegant solutions to annoying issues in their work environment. User account management, rotating log files, cron scripts, web page tweaks, apache passwords, synchronizing via ftp, etc. are all eminently useful and tweakable.