"Mr. Jan Hearthstone" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > But let's suppose that I want to learn programming > (perhaps to compile kernels, etc.) - what would be a > good start? Symbolic logic? (Where to get a good > instruction on that one?) C++? ... Slip? What language > is the one most widely used for Linux? > Thnx, Hrthstn.
I'm fairly new to Linux, but it sounds to me like you're just wanting to know what I wanted to know not very long ago: How the heck can I really "dig into" Linux? I think the specific "language" you're looking for is the language of the shell (most likely BASH). There are quite a few books with titles like "Linux Programming" or "UNIX Shell Programming" that you might find helpful, but I've yet to find one that I feel is ideal for beginners (suggestions would be welcomed). But the two that have proven the most useful to me are: _Debian GNU/Linux Bible_ by Steve Hunger _Linux: Networking for Your Office_ by Roderick W. Smith (don't worry if you don't have an "office"; this is a very carefully written and valuable general reference) Here's a quote from _Debian GNU/Linux Bible_ Chapter 14: "Shells", which immediately precedes the chapter on compiling the kernel: "The true power and flexibility of the Linux operating system is perhaps best realized in the shell. With the shell, you have at your fingertips the means to accomplish almost any computing task. At its simplest, the shell provides an interface between the user and the operating system. The user enters commands into the shell, and the shell arranges for them to be carried out. But the shell's greatest strength is that it serves as a high-level programming language. This means that you can arrange the shell commands into programs called scripts." As for a general programming language suitable for creating large, very efficient programs, I'm keeping my eye on the interesting new (still immature) language called Pliant (http://pliant.cx). Charles -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
