3. Contrasts: Comparing the Unix Philosophy with Others

If you have any trouble sounding condescending, find a Unix user to show you how it’s done.

Dilbert newsletter 3.0, 1994 —Scott Adams

The design of operating systems conditions the style of software development under them in many ways both obvious and subtle. Much of this book traces connections between the design of the Unix operating system and the philosophy of program design that has evolved around it. For contrast, it will therefore be instructive to compare the classic Unix way with the styles of design and programming native to other major operating systems.

3.1 The Elements of Operating-System Style

Before we can start discussing specific operating systems, we’ll need an organizing ...

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