System Programming in Linux: A Hands-On Introduction "Demo" Programs

A fresh batch of hands-on Linux demo programs just landed with Stewart Weiss’s new book, published by No Starch Press. The repo says the code may differ from the book, has a “firstprinting” branch for purists, and ships under the GPL (a share‑and‑improve license) with step‑by‑step build instructions that read like a recipe: make, install, then go chapter by chapter. Cue the comments: one camp is hyped to dive in, another clutches their well‑worn copy of the so‑called “Bible,” Michael Kerrisk’s “The Linux Programming Interface,” asking if this newcomer can measure up. The strongest opinion? The TLPI loyalists want to know what’s truly new. The hottest counter‑take: hands‑on, chapter‑by‑chapter demos are exactly what beginners need.

Drama sprinkled in: the code isn’t identical to the printed book (hello, CHANGES file), and there’s no contributor guide—just “open an issue.” That casual vibe has folks split between “refreshingly simple” and “hmm, need more structure.” Humor bubbled up fast: blitz_ dropped a Git‑pun classic—“time to commit”—and others joked the build steps look like cooking instructions (“make install, make tea”). For non‑devs, think of system programming as learning to talk straight to your computer’s engine—this repo is the toolkit. Whether it dethrones the “Bible” or becomes the friendly sidekick, the crowd’s watching closely, popcorn in hand. Check the book on Amazon or No Starch for the full saga.