How I delay code execution in Bash until a remote host is responding
I have recently been working on some code that needs to run on a remote host using SSH. I describe this in my article, Using...
The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, Tenet 13 — Make programs portable
Image by Opensource.com: CC-by-SA 4.0 Author’s note: This article is excerpted in part from chapter 15 of my book, The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, with...
Write a guessing game in ncurses
Use the flexibility of ncurses to create a guess-the-number game on Linux.
How to do fast, repeatable Linux installations #2 — Bash scripts + RPM
In Episode 1, How to do fast, repeatable Linux installations #1 -- Bash scripts, I discussed how I used a Bash script after performing a...
How to do fast, repeatable Linux installations #1 — Bash scripts
Image by: Opensource.com Some of my articles and an entire book have been about The Linux Philosophy For SysAdmins and its impact on the daily...
5 common C programming bugs (and how to avoid them)
Add a little extra code to your next program to avoid these common C programming mistakes.
How to build rpm packages
Over the years I have created a number of Bash scripts, some of which have separate configuration files, that I like to install on most of my new computers and virtual machines. It reached the point that it took a great deal of time to install all of these packages, so I decided to automate that process by creating an rpm package that I could copy to the target hosts and install all of these files in their proper locations.
Save time and effort installing files and scripts across multiple hosts.
A minimalistic approach to debugging
Originally published in 2016, this interview with Katrina Hayes on Opensource.com details her distinct approach to coding and debugging. A self-taught programmer, Hayes emphasizes simplicity in her tools, preferring minimalist methods. She discusses overcoming challenges in legacy systems, advocating for maintainable code bases to enhance long-term IT sustainability.
Temporary fixes that become permanent
We asked our community for their stories about a “quick fix” that became a permanent one.
Parsing config files with Bash
Separating config files from code enables anyone to change their configurations without any special programming skills.
Using logical operators on the Bash command line
Add powerful logic to the command line with control operators in compound commands.
Holiday snow on your terminal
I live in Minnesota and we haven't gotten a lot of snow yet, so I figured I'd add a little "holiday cheer" by writing a...
Interview Hack: AI saves the day(and ears)
I love interviews. It’s a great way to get to know a person and it’s often a great way to learn. One of the most...
Why sysadmins should license their code for open source
One of the best ways I know to give back to the open source community that provides everyone with incredible programs is to make programs...