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added TOC and improved visual appearance
author meillo@marmaro.de
date Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:31:51 +0200
parents 13ef7042fa28
children 46e34e433231
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41:13ef7042fa28 42:303e8f449e77
11 .if n .if \\n(.$>1 \&\\$1\c 11 .if n .if \\n(.$>1 \&\\$1\c
12 .if n .if \\n(.$>1 \&\\$2 12 .if n .if \\n(.$>1 \&\\$2
13 .. 13 ..
14 .ds [. \ [ 14 .ds [. \ [
15 .ds .] ] 15 .ds .] ]
16
17 .rn NH _N
18 .de NH
19 .if '\\$1'1' .sp 2v
20 .if '\\$1'1' .nr PS +2
21 ._N \\$1
22 .if '\\$1'1' .nr PS -2
23 ..
24
16 .\"---------------------------------------- 25 .\"----------------------------------------
26
17 .TL 27 .TL
28 .ps +4
18 Why the Unix Philosophy still matters 29 Why the Unix Philosophy still matters
19 .AU 30 .AU
20 markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> 31 markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de>
21 .AB 32 .AB
22 .ti \n(.iu 33 .ti \n(.iu
36 .CW \s-1http://marmaro.de/docs \ . 47 .CW \s-1http://marmaro.de/docs \ .
37 .FE 48 .FE
38 49
39 .NH 1 50 .NH 1
40 Introduction 51 Introduction
52 .XS
53 \*(SN Introduction
54 .XE
41 .LP 55 .LP
42 The Unix Philosophy is the essence of how the Unix operating system, 56 The Unix Philosophy is the essence of how the Unix operating system,
43 especially its toolchest, was designed. 57 especially its toolchest, was designed.
44 It is no limited set of fixed rules, 58 It is no limited set of fixed rules,
45 but a loose set of guidelines which tell how to write software that 59 but a loose set of guidelines which tell how to write software that
127 is a good book that covers this topic. 141 is a good book that covers this topic.
128 Its point of view matches to the one of this paper. 142 Its point of view matches to the one of this paper.
129 143
130 .NH 1 144 .NH 1
131 Importance of software design in general 145 Importance of software design in general
146 .XS
147 .sp .5v
148 \*(SN Importance of software design in general
149 .XE
132 .LP 150 .LP
133 Software design is the planning of how the internal structure 151 Software design is the planning of how the internal structure
134 and external interfaces of a software should look like. 152 and external interfaces of a software should look like.
135 It has nothing to do with visual appearance. 153 It has nothing to do with visual appearance.
136 If we take a program as a car, then its color is of no matter. 154 If we take a program as a car, then its color is of no matter.
241 It offers guidelines to achieve good quality and high gain for the effort spent. 259 It offers guidelines to achieve good quality and high gain for the effort spent.
242 260
243 261
244 .NH 1 262 .NH 1
245 The Unix Philosophy 263 The Unix Philosophy
264 .XS
265 .sp .5v
266 \*(SN The Unix Philosophy
267 .XE
246 .LP 268 .LP
247 The origins of the Unix Philosophy were already introduced. 269 The origins of the Unix Philosophy were already introduced.
248 This chapter explains the philosophy, oriented on Gancarz, 270 This chapter explains the philosophy, oriented on Gancarz,
249 and shows concrete examples of its application. 271 and shows concrete examples of its application.
250 272
251 .NH 2 273 .NH 2
252 Pipes 274 Pipes
275 .XS
276 \*(SN Pipes
277 .XE
253 .LP 278 .LP
254 Following are some examples to demonstrate how applied Unix Philosophy feels like. 279 Following are some examples to demonstrate how applied Unix Philosophy feels like.
255 Knowledge of using the Unix shell is assumed. 280 Knowledge of using the Unix shell is assumed.
256 .PP 281 .PP
257 Counting the number of files in the current directory: 282 Counting the number of files in the current directory:
321 The other is the design of the programs that are used in the pipeline. 346 The other is the design of the programs that are used in the pipeline.
322 They have to interfaces that allows them to be used in such a way. 347 They have to interfaces that allows them to be used in such a way.
323 348
324 .NH 2 349 .NH 2
325 Interface design 350 Interface design
351 .XS
352 \*(SN Interface design
353 .XE
326 .LP 354 .LP
327 Unix is, first of all, simple \(en Everything is a file. 355 Unix is, first of all, simple \(en Everything is a file.
328 Files are sequences of bytes, without any special structure. 356 Files are sequences of bytes, without any special structure.
329 Programs should be filters, which read a stream of bytes from ``standard input'' (stdin) 357 Programs should be filters, which read a stream of bytes from ``standard input'' (stdin)
330 and write a stream of bytes to ``standard output'' (stdout). 358 and write a stream of bytes to ``standard output'' (stdout).
374 Testing of interactive programs is much more complicated, 402 Testing of interactive programs is much more complicated,
375 than testing of non-interactive programs. 403 than testing of non-interactive programs.
376 404
377 .NH 2 405 .NH 2
378 The toolchest approach 406 The toolchest approach
407 .XS
408 \*(SN The toolchest approach
409 .XE
379 .LP 410 .LP
380 A toolchest is a set of tools. 411 A toolchest is a set of tools.
381 Instead of having one big tool for all tasks, one has many small tools, 412 Instead of having one big tool for all tasks, one has many small tools,
382 each for one task. 413 each for one task.
383 Difficult tasks are solved by combining several of the small, simple tools. 414 Difficult tasks are solved by combining several of the small, simple tools.
452 This script acts like the one before, when called without an argument. 483 This script acts like the one before, when called without an argument.
453 But one can also specify a numerical argument to define the number of lines to print. 484 But one can also specify a numerical argument to define the number of lines to print.
454 485
455 .NH 2 486 .NH 2
456 A powerful shell 487 A powerful shell
488 .XS
489 \*(SN A powerful shell
490 .XE
457 .LP 491 .LP
458 It was already said, that the Unix shell provides the possibility to 492 It was already said, that the Unix shell provides the possibility to
459 combine small programs into large ones easily. 493 combine small programs into large ones easily.
460 A powerful shell is a great feature in other ways, too. 494 A powerful shell is a great feature in other ways, too.
461 .PP 495 .PP
517 changing requirements. 551 changing requirements.
518 Software parts that are not written will not miss the requirements. 552 Software parts that are not written will not miss the requirements.
519 553
520 .NH 2 554 .NH 2
521 Worse is better 555 Worse is better
556 .XS
557 \*(SN Worse is better
558 .XE
522 .LP 559 .LP
523 The Unix Philosophy aims for the 80% solution; 560 The Unix Philosophy aims for the 80% solution;
524 others call it the ``Worse is better'' approach. 561 others call it the ``Worse is better'' approach.
525 .PP 562 .PP
526 First, practical experience shows, that it is almost never possible to define the 563 First, practical experience shows, that it is almost never possible to define the
557 then less effort was spent into the project, than it would have be 594 then less effort was spent into the project, than it would have be
558 when a different approach had been used. 595 when a different approach had been used.
559 596
560 .NH 2 597 .NH 2
561 Upgrowth and survival of software 598 Upgrowth and survival of software
599 .XS
600 \*(SN Upgrowth and survival of software
601 .XE
562 .LP 602 .LP
563 So far it was talked about \fIwriting\fP or \fIbuilding\fP software. 603 So far it was talked about \fIwriting\fP or \fIbuilding\fP software.
564 Although these are just verbs, they do imply a specific view on the work process 604 Although these are just verbs, they do imply a specific view on the work process
565 they describe. 605 they describe.
566 The better verb, however, is to \fIgrow\fP. 606 The better verb, however, is to \fIgrow\fP.
666 Who cares if the large program is a failure, 706 Who cares if the large program is a failure,
667 but parts of it become successful instead? 707 but parts of it become successful instead?
668 708
669 .NH 2 709 .NH 2
670 Summary 710 Summary
711 .XS
712 \*(SN Summary
713 .XE
671 .LP 714 .LP
672 This chapter explained the central ideas of the Unix Philosophy. 715 This chapter explained the central ideas of the Unix Philosophy.
673 For each of the ideas, it was exposed what advantages they introduce. 716 For each of the ideas, it was exposed what advantages they introduce.
674 The Unix Philosophy are guidelines that help to write valuable software. 717 The Unix Philosophy are guidelines that help to write valuable software.
675 From the view point of a software developer or software designer, 718 From the view point of a software developer or software designer,
685 728
686 729
687 730
688 .NH 1 731 .NH 1
689 Case study: \s-1MH\s0 732 Case study: \s-1MH\s0
733 .XS
734 .sp .5v
735 \*(SN Case study: \s-1MH\s0
736 .XE
690 .LP 737 .LP
691 The previous chapter introduced and explained the Unix Philosophy 738 The previous chapter introduced and explained the Unix Philosophy
692 from a general point of view. 739 from a general point of view.
693 The driving force were the guidelines; references to 740 The driving force were the guidelines; references to
694 existing software were given only sparsely. 741 existing software were given only sparsely.
705 them are described. 752 them are described.
706 753
707 754
708 .NH 2 755 .NH 2
709 Historical background 756 Historical background
757 .XS
758 \*(SN Historical background
759 .XE
710 .LP 760 .LP
711 Electronic mail was available in Unix very early. 761 Electronic mail was available in Unix very early.
712 The first \s-1MUA\s0 on Unix was \f(CWmail\fP, 762 The first \s-1MUA\s0 on Unix was \f(CWmail\fP,
713 which was already present in the First Edition. 763 which was already present in the First Edition.
714 .[ 764 .[
780 %O Also available online: \f(CW\s-2http://rand-mh.sourceforge.net/book/\fP 830 %O Also available online: \f(CW\s-2http://rand-mh.sourceforge.net/book/\fP
781 .] 831 .]
782 832
783 .NH 2 833 .NH 2
784 Contrasts to monolithic mail systems 834 Contrasts to monolithic mail systems
835 .XS
836 \*(SN Contrasts to monolithic mail systems
837 .XE
785 .LP 838 .LP
786 All \s-1MUA\s0s are monolithic, except \s-1MH\s0. 839 All \s-1MUA\s0s are monolithic, except \s-1MH\s0.
787 Although there might actually exist further, very little known, 840 Although there might actually exist further, very little known,
788 toolchest \s-1MUA\s0s, this statement reflects the situation pretty well. 841 toolchest \s-1MUA\s0s, this statement reflects the situation pretty well.
789 .PP 842 .PP
835 alone or in combination with others, even from other toolchests, 888 alone or in combination with others, even from other toolchests,
836 without leaving the shell. 889 without leaving the shell.
837 890
838 .NH 2 891 .NH 2
839 Data storage 892 Data storage
893 .XS
894 \*(SN Data storage
895 .XE
840 .LP 896 .LP
841 \s-1MH\s0's mail storage is a directory tree under the user's 897 \s-1MH\s0's mail storage is a directory tree under the user's
842 \s-1MH\s0 directory (usually \f(CW$HOME/Mail\fP), 898 \s-1MH\s0 directory (usually \f(CW$HOME/Mail\fP),
843 where mail folders are directories and mail messages are text files 899 where mail folders are directories and mail messages are text files
844 within them. 900 within them.
896 %O mh-profile(5) and mh-sequence(5) 952 %O mh-profile(5) and mh-sequence(5)
897 .] 953 .]
898 954
899 .NH 2 955 .NH 2
900 Discussion of the design 956 Discussion of the design
957 .XS
958 \*(SN Discussion of the design
959 .XE
901 .LP 960 .LP
902 The following paragraphs discuss \s-1MH\s0 in regard to the tenets 961 The following paragraphs discuss \s-1MH\s0 in regard to the tenets
903 of the Unix Philosophy which Gancarz identified. 962 of the Unix Philosophy which Gancarz identified.
904 963
905 .PP 964 .PP
1086 With these three, I was able to convince people that the structure was viable. 1145 With these three, I was able to convince people that the structure was viable.
1087 This took about three weeks. 1146 This took about three weeks.
1088 1147
1089 .NH 2 1148 .NH 2
1090 Problems 1149 Problems
1150 .XS
1151 \*(SN Problems
1152 .XE
1091 .LP 1153 .LP
1092 \s-1MH\s0, for sure is not without problems. 1154 \s-1MH\s0, for sure is not without problems.
1093 There are two main problems: one is technical, the other is about human behavior. 1155 There are two main problems: one is technical, the other is about human behavior.
1094 .PP 1156 .PP
1095 \s-1MH\s0 is old and email today is very different to email in the time 1157 \s-1MH\s0 is old and email today is very different to email in the time
1117 are quite outdated and thus not very appealing compared to the modern interfaces 1179 are quite outdated and thus not very appealing compared to the modern interfaces
1118 which monolithic \s-1MUA\s0s offer. 1180 which monolithic \s-1MUA\s0s offer.
1119 1181
1120 .NH 2 1182 .NH 2
1121 Summary \s-1MH\s0 1183 Summary \s-1MH\s0
1184 .XS
1185 \*(SN Summary \s-1MH\s0
1186 .XE
1122 .LP 1187 .LP
1123 \s-1MH\s0 is an \s-1MUA\s0 that follows the Unix Philosophy in its design 1188 \s-1MH\s0 is an \s-1MUA\s0 that follows the Unix Philosophy in its design
1124 and implementation. 1189 and implementation.
1125 It consists of a toolchest of small tools, each of them does one job well. 1190 It consists of a toolchest of small tools, each of them does one job well.
1126 The tools are orthogonal to each other, to a large extend. 1191 The tools are orthogonal to each other, to a large extend.
1146 1211
1147 1212
1148 1213
1149 .NH 1 1214 .NH 1
1150 Case study: uzbl 1215 Case study: uzbl
1216 .XS
1217 .sp .5v
1218 \*(SN Case study: uzbl
1219 .XE
1151 .LP 1220 .LP
1152 The last chapter took a look on the \s-1MUA\s0 \s-1MH\s0, 1221 The last chapter took a look on the \s-1MUA\s0 \s-1MH\s0,
1153 this chapter is about uzbl, a web browser that adheres to the Unix Philosophy. 1222 this chapter is about uzbl, a web browser that adheres to the Unix Philosophy.
1154 ``uzbl'' is the \fIlolcat\fP's word for the English adjective ``usable''. 1223 ``uzbl'' is the \fIlolcat\fP's word for the English adjective ``usable''.
1155 It is pronounced the identical. 1224 It is pronounced the identical.
1156 1225
1157 .NH 2 1226 .NH 2
1158 Historical background 1227 Historical background
1228 .XS
1229 \*(SN Historical background
1230 .XE
1159 .LP 1231 .LP
1160 Uzbl was started by Dieter Plaetinck in April 2009. 1232 Uzbl was started by Dieter Plaetinck in April 2009.
1161 The idea was born in a thread in the Arch Linux forum. 1233 The idea was born in a thread in the Arch Linux forum.
1162 .[ 1234 .[
1163 %O http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=67463 1235 %O http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=67463
1187 In July 2009, \fILinux Weekly News\fP published an interview with Plaetinck about uzbl. 1259 In July 2009, \fILinux Weekly News\fP published an interview with Plaetinck about uzbl.
1188 In September 2009, the uzbl web browser was on \fISlashdot\fP. 1260 In September 2009, the uzbl web browser was on \fISlashdot\fP.
1189 1261
1190 .NH 2 1262 .NH 2
1191 Contrasts to other web browsers 1263 Contrasts to other web browsers
1264 .XS
1265 \*(SN Contrasts to other web browsers
1266 .XE
1192 .LP 1267 .LP
1193 Like most \s-1MUA\s0s are monolithic, but \s-1MH\s0 is a toolchest, 1268 Like most \s-1MUA\s0s are monolithic, but \s-1MH\s0 is a toolchest,
1194 most web browsers are monolithic, but uzbl is a frontend to a toolchest. 1269 most web browsers are monolithic, but uzbl is a frontend to a toolchest.
1195 .PP 1270 .PP
1196 Today, uzbl is divided into uzbl-core and uzbl-browser. 1271 Today, uzbl is divided into uzbl-core and uzbl-browser.
1228 But instead of using existing, external programs, modern web browsers 1303 But instead of using existing, external programs, modern web browsers
1229 include these functions, although they might be loaded at runtime. 1304 include these functions, although they might be loaded at runtime.
1230 1305
1231 .NH 2 1306 .NH 2
1232 Discussion of the design 1307 Discussion of the design
1308 .XS
1309 \*(SN Discussion of the design
1310 .XE
1233 .LP 1311 .LP
1234 This section discusses uzbl in regard of the Unix Philosophy, 1312 This section discusses uzbl in regard of the Unix Philosophy,
1235 as identified by Gancarz. 1313 as identified by Gancarz.
1236 1314
1237 .PP 1315 .PP
1398 .] 1476 .]
1399 1477
1400 1478
1401 .NH 2 1479 .NH 2
1402 Problems 1480 Problems
1481 .XS
1482 \*(SN Problems
1483 .XE
1403 .LP 1484 .LP
1404 Similar to \s-1MH\s0, uzbl, too suffers from being different. 1485 Similar to \s-1MH\s0, uzbl, too suffers from being different.
1405 It is sad, but people use what they know. 1486 It is sad, but people use what they know.
1406 Fortunately, uzbl's user interface can look and feel very much the 1487 Fortunately, uzbl's user interface can look and feel very much the
1407 same as the one of the well known web browsers, 1488 same as the one of the well known web browsers,
1426 Now web browsers, and eventually the users, suffer from it. 1507 Now web browsers, and eventually the users, suffer from it.
1427 1508
1428 1509
1429 .NH 2 1510 .NH 2
1430 Summary uzbl 1511 Summary uzbl
1512 .XS
1513 \*(SN Summary uzbl
1514 .XE
1431 .LP 1515 .LP
1432 ``Uzbl is a browser that adheres to the Unix Philosophy'', 1516 ``Uzbl is a browser that adheres to the Unix Philosophy'',
1433 that is how uzbl is seen by its authors. 1517 that is how uzbl is seen by its authors.
1434 Indeed, uzbl follows the Unix Philosophy in many ways. 1518 Indeed, uzbl follows the Unix Philosophy in many ways.
1435 It consists of independent parts that work together, 1519 It consists of independent parts that work together,
1452 Despite this bad situation, uzbl does a fairly good job. 1536 Despite this bad situation, uzbl does a fairly good job.
1453 1537
1454 1538
1455 .NH 1 1539 .NH 1
1456 Final thoughts 1540 Final thoughts
1541 .XS
1542 .sp .5v
1543 \*(SN Final thoughts
1544 .XE
1457 1545
1458 .NH 2 1546 .NH 2
1459 Quick summary 1547 Quick summary
1548 .XS
1549 \*(SN Quick summary
1550 .XE
1460 .LP 1551 .LP
1461 good design 1552 good design
1462 .LP 1553 .LP
1463 unix phil 1554 unix phil
1464 .LP 1555 .LP
1465 case studies 1556 case studies
1466 1557
1467 .NH 2 1558 .NH 2
1468 Why people should choose 1559 Why people should choose
1560 .XS
1561 \*(SN Why people should choose
1562 .XE
1469 .LP 1563 .LP
1470 Make the right choice! 1564 Make the right choice!
1471 1565
1472 .nr PI .5i 1566 .nr PI .3i
1473 .rm ]< 1567 .rm ]<
1474 .de ]< 1568 .de ]<
1475 .LP 1569 .LP
1476 .de FP 1570 .de FP
1477 .IP \\\\$1. 1571 .IP \\\\$1.
1478 \\.. 1572 \\..
1479 .rm FS FE 1573 .rm FS FE
1480 .. 1574 ..
1481 .SH 1575 .ds CH "
1576 .bp
1577 .rs
1578 .sp .3i
1579 .TL
1482 References 1580 References
1581 .LP
1582 .XS
1583 .sp .5v
1584 References
1585 .XE
1586 .sp 2v
1587 .nr PS -1
1588 .nr VS -1
1483 .[ 1589 .[
1484 $LIST$ 1590 $LIST$
1485 .] 1591 .]
1486 .wh -1p 1592 .\".wh -1p
1593 .bp
1594 .PX