What is this course about?

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the UNIX operating system family and lays the foundation for taking the next step toward becoming an effective system, network or database administrator on a UNIX platform. You learn to navigate the directory hierarchy, manipulate files, interact with UNIX graphical user interfaces (GUIs), utilise shells and filters, write and run simple shell scripts, and perform some basic administration tasks.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is an in-depth, "nuts-and-bolts" introduction to UNIX that will benefit programmers, system administrators, application support specialists, help desk personnel, and other "power users" who need a solid background in the UNIX system.

What background do I need?

Previous experience with UNIX is not required for this course. Familiarity operating a computer systems is assumed. It is recommended that participants have a few years experience with Microsoft Windows.

What is UNIX used for?

UNIX is a multi-user, multitasking operating system designed for applications that demand exceptionally powerful or robust environments. It is frequently used as a server platform, hosting large, mission-critical applications such as corporate databases, enterprise resource planning systems and customer relationship management. UNIX is the most common operating system for servers on the Internet. Running on 32- and 64-bit processors, many versions of UNIX support servers containing dozens of processors, and/or clusters consisting of hundreds of machines. Despite this power, UNIX can also run on inexpensive personal computers and is gaining ground as an alternative desktop operating system.

Which versions of UNIX are covered in this course?

The various versions of the UNIX family are very similar to one another. The fundamentals of using files, directories, commands, filters and shell scripts are identical from one version to another. The differences between versions are subtle and do not effect the core principles of UNIX. In other words, if you can use one version, you can use them all!

Popular version of the UNIX family include:

• AIX (IBM)
• BSD (several variants)
• HP-UX (Hewlett-Packard)
• IRIX (SGI)
• Linux (several variants)
• Solaris (Sun Microsystems)
• Tru64 UNIX (HP/Compaq)
• UnixWare (SCO)

This course is applicable to those who work with any one of the UNIX versions mentioned above, or those who work in a mixed environment involving several versions.

What version of UNIX is used on this course?

This course currently uses Solaris 10. However, the focus of this course is foundational and concentrates on those aspects of UNIX that do not vary much between UNIX versions.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much time is spent on hands-on exercises?

Approximately 40% of time on the course is devoted to hands-on exercises, allowing you to develop your skills on UNIX. Exercises include:

• Changing file access permissions
• Customising the KornShell environment
• Searching, sorting and restructuring data with filter commands
• Creating and executing shell scripts
• Performing numerous functions using various UNIX commands
• And much more!

Does this course use the KornShell or the Bash shell?

This course emphasises the KornShell while briefly mentioning some recent enhancements to the Bash shell. The KornShell is the most common shell used in commercial versions of UNIX (i.e; Solaris, AIX, HP-UX). Bash, which is the standard shell on Linux systems, is growing in popularity on commercial versions of UNIX and is upwardly compatible with the KornShell-what is discussed in this course regarding the KornShell is applicable as well to the Bash shell.

Will I learn how to use the Common Desktop Environment?

Yes. The Common Desktop Environment (CDE) is used in this course as the graphical user interface (GUI). CDE is the standard GUI for most commercial UNIX versions. Other GUIs, such as GNOME, the Java Desktop System and KDE are also discussed.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Learning Tree offers a number of courses that will help you expand upon the knowledge gained in this course. Those courses include:

• 433, UNIX® and Linux® Security: Hands-On provides the knowledge and skills to secure your UNIX and Linux systems from internal and external threats
• 396, UNIX® and Linux® Tools and Utilities: Hands-On builds on the knowledge gained in Course 428 and gives you proven techniques for adapting your UNIX environment to meet the needs of your organisation through the effective use of key standard UNIX tools and utilities
• 431, Introduction to Perl Programming: Hands-On provides you with the skills to create effective, reusable Perl scripts
• 218, User and System Requirements for Successful Software Development provides the knowledge and skills needed to capture software requirements using clearly defined processes
• 471, Java Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction offers extensive experience with Java and its object-oriented features