Search Articles

Search Results: UNIX

Lost 1973 Unix Source Code Resurrected from Magnetic Tape, Rewriting Early OS History

A magnetic tape containing the long-lost Fourth Edition Research Unix source code—a pivotal 1973 release that transitioned kernel development to C—has been restored and added to the Unix History Repository. Analysis confirms its authenticity against claims it resembled Fifth Edition Unix, revealing 52,000 lines of foundational code survived into later versions.

Plan 9: The Revolutionary Operating System That Almost Replaced Unix

Born from the same minds that created Unix, Plan 9 represented a bold reimagining of computing in the networked era. Despite its brilliant design and influence, this operating system never achieved mainstream adoption, leaving behind a fascinating legacy of innovation and 'what could have been.'
Bringing Classic Mac Archives to Modern Unix: The 'sit' Tool Reimagined

Bringing Classic Mac Archives to Modern Unix: The 'sit' Tool Reimagined

A nostalgic yet practical solution lets developers on macOS and Linux create StuffIt 1.5.1 archives that classic Mac OS can read. The lightweight C utility preserves resource forks and metadata without compression, bridging a gap that has surprised many who still need to ship files to older Macs or emulators.
The Hidden Anatomy of Unix Filesystems: Unraveling Inodes and Directory Entries

The Hidden Anatomy of Unix Filesystems: Unraveling Inodes and Directory Entries

When a student asked about the fundamental difference between files and directories in Unix-like systems, it revealed a deeper exploration of filesystem architecture. This technical deep dive examines how inodes store metadata, why directories are special types of files, and what happens when you exhaust inode space—complete with practical demonstrations on ext4.
Modernizing Mainframe Access: The Essential z/OS UNIX Shell Setup for Developers

Modernizing Mainframe Access: The Essential z/OS UNIX Shell Setup for Developers

For decades, z/OS UNIX has been hampered by outdated interfaces like OMVS and ISHELL, alienating a new generation of developers. This guide reveals how to transform your mainframe shell into a powerful, SSH-driven environment with Bash, Python, and open-source tools to boost productivity and retain talent. Learn the critical configurations that make z/OS UNIX a first-class citizen in today’s tech landscape.