# Mac OS X for UNIX Geeks, 4th Edition

Edition: Mac OS X for UNIX Geeks is a technical guide to Unix tasks in Mac OS X, covering Leopard and Tiger. It is aimed at developers and system administrators who want to understand how Mac OS X differs from traditional Unix.

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- Rating: 3.9 / 5
- Reviews: 12

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## At a glance

- Explains differences between Mac OS X's Unix environment and more traditional Unix systems.
- Covers the Terminal, Directory Services, Open Directory and NetInfo.
- Topics include GCC 4, the Fink and MacPorts software tools, Spotlight command-line utilities and building the Darwin kernel.
- The listing says its coverage includes Leopard and Tiger.

## Pros

- Connects Mac-specific tools and services to familiar Unix tasks for readers crossing between the environments.
- Its topic range spans shell use, software porting and system-level work.

## Specifications

### Publication details
- Publisher: O'Reilly Media
- Publication date: 28 October 2008
- Edition: 4th ed.
- Language: English
- Print length: 426 pages
- ISBN-10: 059652062X
- ISBN-13: 978-0596520625
### Dimensions and installation
- Weight listed: 572 g
- Dimensions: 15.24 x 2.79 x 22.86 cm

## Before you buy

- The technical material is specifically framed around Leopard and Tiger. Readers working with newer macOS releases should confirm that the instructions remain applicable to their setup.

## A good fit for

- Developers and system administrators familiar with Unix who need a guide to Mac OS X's Unix environment.
- Readers interested in compiling code, porting Unix programs or using Mac-specific directory services.

## Less suited to

- Readers seeking an up-to-date guide to current macOS releases or a general beginner's introduction to computing.

## Customer feedback

Aggregate ratings are mixed, with five-star ratings forming the largest group but a substantial spread across lower ratings. This limited rating snapshot gives no explanation for the differences, so it cannot establish whether the book's age or technical coverage suited individual readers.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which Mac OS X versions does the book cover?
The listing describes coverage of Leopard and Tiger. It does not establish that the instructions apply to later macOS releases.
### What topics are covered?
Listed topics include Terminal use, directory services, GCC 4, porting Unix programs with Fink, installing open-source software with MacPorts, Spotlight command-line utilities and building the Darwin kernel.
### Who is this book intended for?
The listing positions it for developers and system administrators with Unix familiarity who want to understand Mac OS X's differences from traditional Unix.

## Images

![Mac OS X for UNIX Geeks, 4th Edition — 1](https://aussiedealscout.com/i/an1pY-9WegRAYp4HsvwAVNexx4a5kv_ZjG1Y-mj9VgHCXbzCHDfK3tV_27npRrg_QPTC6iPd75FoCUXqUcz3VT37D-xt7773GCCd17ZaIs7NYQQylzMl.jpg)