Linux Programming 101?

**DigitalExpl0it** · 02-23-2005, 12:54 PM

RealBasic/Gambas for them VB guys, QT/GTK for them c/c++ guys

**rubicon** · 02-23-2005, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by brady

What do you mean by that?

He means that learning OpenGL programming won't do squat for one interested in learning GNU/Linux programming.

My advice: Pick up O'Reilly's perl programming books (esp. the "cookbook") whether you know perl or not.

If you know C already, developing for *NIX won't be a huge step.

If you've never seen a CLI before, set up a "scrap" machine and bang on it.

**xBrady** · 02-23-2005, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by rubicon

He means that learning OpenGL programming won't do squat for one interested in learning GNU/Linux programming.

My advice: Pick up O'Reilly's perl programming books (esp. the "cookbook") whether you know perl or not.

If you know C already, developing for *NIX won't be a huge step.

If you've never seen a CLI before, set up a "scrap" machine and bang on it.

Ah, I thought he was saying that you can't program OpenGL on Linux machines

O'Reilly books are awesome.

**TheLlama** · 02-24-2005, 12:18 PM

If anyone else is interested in the PDF it is available here: http://csciwww.etsu.edu/phil/unix-primer.zip It's not as complete as the O'Reilly materials, but it's reasonably good, and it's free. Great for anyone getting familiar with Linux. Also a very good reference for shell scripting and using unix utilities together.

**DigitalExpl0it** · 03-03-2005, 09:37 AM

be cool to make a front end using SDL

http://www.libsdl.org/index.php

**TheLlama** · 03-03-2005, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by DigitalExpl0it

be cool to make a front end using SDL

http://www.libsdl.org/index.php

perhaps. I don't think SDL is needed per-se. Straight X with OpenGL should be more than enough for most frontends.

**cyber** · 03-03-2005, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by DigitalExpl0it

be cool to make a front end using SDL

http://www.libsdl.org/index.php

I'm actually working on one right now. It seemed like a good choice since I want to make sure its cross-platform

**cyber** · 03-03-2005, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by khemical

the LFS Book isn't gonna teach you anything except how to install linux from scratch and setup certain common programs. Check out the Oreilly series of books for learning *nix systems and programs and languages.

as a note: the "in a nutshell" books are reference books, not learning tools...

A good book to start with:
Running Linux
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/runux4/

even has example chapters on upgrading the kernel

You can easily learn regex and the common commands from any number of sites. But what better way to learn linux then by setting up a box: knowing what is installed, the file structure, the boot sequence. I consider that to be key knowledge.

**TheLlama** · 03-03-2005, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by cyber

You can easily learn regex and the common commands from any number of sites. But what better way to learn linux then by setting up a box: knowing what is installed, the file structure, the boot sequence. I consider that to be key knowledge.

Yes but an LFS install is much too overwhelming for a Linux beginner. Most beginners are turned off by the installation of relatively simple distros. I, for one, would recommend building a box with Gentoo as it will give you a hands on approach to creating your system. Another benefit over LFS is that you don't have to worry about dependancies and keeping all your sources up-to-date since portage takes care of that. You still get the major benefits of a source installation.

**OdysseyPC** · 03-04-2005, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by TheLlama

perhaps. I don't think SDL is needed per-se. Straight X with OpenGL should be more than enough for most frontends.

Why worry about X, just adds overhead ...

Warning ... large sweeping statement on the way ...

The slickest frontend/system will eventually come from the *nix community