What skills will I need before I start to learn Unix?

I know some C and C++ programming already.


What other background will I need to have?





Also, whats so special about Unix? Why are so many people using it?

What skills will I need before I start to learn Unix?
learn unix shell scripting. It will come in handy. For that matter, general programming knowledge can be useful, but you don't need it to learn how to use Unix. Unix, after all, is simply an operating system. As for your second question, the most common usage for Unix and Linux is as a server because it is ostensibly more stable than Windows boxes.
Reply:Jeff G. is right about shell scripting, but I would start by learning all of the command line commands. When I work in Unix (or Linux for that matter), I keep O'Reilly's Linux Pocket Guide (ISBN 0-596-00628-4 it lists for $9.95, but I think I got it for 7.95 at B%26amp;N) right next to me. There are a lot of commands you need to learn to do anything basic -- like log on and run a program.





Unix/Linux is not hard, it is just different. It is an older OS that originated in the 1970s. It was originally for big machines (there were no PCs), but Linux allows a Unix-like OS for the PC. Linux is inexpensive (most distributions are free), and it works very well on servers.





If you are going to write code on a Linux box, you will need to learn Eclipse (I assume you will be able to use a real IDE and not have to use vi for everything), gcc/g++ (compiler), and gdb (debugger).
Reply:Learn the shell commands to get going, get comfortable with command apps such as grep.


Learn the architecture and structure of UNIX (everything from folders to networking)


Learn how to write apps for UNIX in C/C++





Many people use it because it offers great flexibility and you own and can modify everything. Ownership and knowledge of everything in UNIX is what makes it appealing to programmers. Also, it is free, faster and has been known to be more stable and secure than Windows, although MS is doing a much better job with Windows nowadays.





Once you get comfortable with the keyboard in UNIX, you will realize how much time mouse navigations and clicks often waste.