Inside Linux
- Kernel
- The core of the UNIX system. Loaded at system start up (boot). Memory-resident control program.
- Manages the entire resources of the system, presenting them to you and every other user as a coherent
- system. Provides service to user applications such as device management, process scheduling, etc.
- Example functions performed by the kernel are:
⦾ Scheduling the work done by the CPU so that the work of each user is carried out
as efficiently as is possible.
⦾ Accomplishing the transfer of data from one part of the machine to another
⦾ Interpreting and executing instructions from the shell
⦾ Enforcing file access permissions
5. You do not need to know anything about the kernel in order to use a UNIX system. These
details are provided for your information only.
- Shell
- Whenever you login to a Unix system you are placed in a shell program. The shell's prompt is usually visible at the cursor's position on your screen. To get your work done, you enter commands at this prompt.
- The shell is a command interpreter; it takes each command and passes it to the operating system kernel to be acted upon. It then displays the results of this operation on your screen.
- Several shells are usually available on any UNIX system, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
- Different users may use different shells. Initially, your system adminstrator will supply a default shell, which can be overridden or changed. The most commonly available shells are:
⦾ Bourne shell (sh)
⦾ C shell (csh)
⦾ Korn shell (ksh)
⦾ TC Shell (tcsh)
⦾ Bourne Again Shell (bash)
5. Each shell also includes its own programming language. Command files, called "shell
scripts" are used to accomplish a series of tasks.
- Utilities
- UNIX provides several hundred utility programs, often referred to as commands.
- Accomplish universal functions
⦾ editing
⦾ file maintenance
⦾ printing
⦾ sorting
⦾ programming support
⦾ online info etc.
3. Modular: single functions can be grouped to perform more complex tasks