Linux/Unix experience

[Dhaval J. Patel]

Hi,
I am a recent computer science grad and I have around 1 year of experience in java/web development. I received a call from one of the recruiters regarding a job posting.The job demands knowledge of j2ee, j2se, html, javascript, ajax and linux/unix experience. What does Linux and Unix experience mean. What knowledge does a java/web developer need to have on linux/unix.?? And what kind of questions can I expect on this topic in the interview>?? how should I be prepared for it //

[Joe Harry]

You just need to know how do work with a Linux / Unix environment everyday as you'd work on a Windows machine. In some companies though the Desktop / Laptop they give has Windows on it, often times you need to connect to a remote Linux / Unix server and perfom some tasks that are relevant for your development activities and that are part of your job responsibilities.

[Jimmy Clark]

how should I be prepared for it

You can learn various shell commands, e.g. grep, tail, chmod, kill, etc.

If you have never worked in a UNIX-based environment, you can still demonstrate a basic understanding of common commands and can quickly learn more if selected for the position.

Good luck!

[Bear Bibeault]

Installing cygwin on a Windows machine can help give you a flavor of the Unix command line.

Without knowledge of development using the Unix command line, you put yourself well behind the eight ball when it comes to job prospects.

[Rahul Sudip Bose]

Sorry to deviate from the main point, but i was wondering if a cert in RedHat would help ?

[Joe Harry]

Rahul Sudip Bose wrote:Sorry to deviate from the main point, but i was wondering if a cert in RedHat would help ?

RedHat certification from my point of view would be ideal if you are into System administration.

[Matthew Brown]

Joe Harry wrote:RedHat certification from my point of view would be ideal if you are into System administration.

But I'd have thought it was overkill if all you need is experience of working in a Linux environment.

[fred rosenberger]

My nephew recently started as an intern at my company. His first day, they asked him to look at some files on a Unix box. He didn't know head, tail, vi, emacs, or anything. He did some quick googling, and found 'cat'. He was then able to cat the file, but had to use his terminal emulator's scroll bar to move back and forth.

the next day I wrote up quick unix tutorial for him, and he's been fine ever since.

[Dhaval J. Patel]

Thank you everyone for the answers. I would surely try the things suggested here. I had one more question though. What different tasks will I have to do on a unix system except development as a developer ??

fred rosenberger wrote:
the next day I wrote up quick unix tutorial for him, and he's been fine ever since.

Hi fred,
It would be very nice of you if you could post a link for that tutorial if you still have a copy of it .. . . . .. It would really help .. Thanks in advance

[Campbell Ritchie]

I have taken the liberty of changing your request for an e-mail to a request for a link. As explained here, that means everybody can benefit from the tutorial.

[fred rosenberger]

Dhaval J. Patel wrote:It would be very nice of you if you could post a link for that tutorial if you still have a copy of it .. . . . .. It would really help .. Thanks in advance

it's not really written for public consumption, and there isn't a link...it was in an email.

Dhaval J. Patel wrote:What different tasks will I have to do on a unix system except development as a developer ??

search for files. read files. create files. move to different directories. edit files. ftp files. restore lost or deleted files. use various utilities your team has created. write new utilities, such as perl or shell scripts.

[Rahul Sudip Bose]

Bear Bibeault wrote:you put yourself well behind the eight ball when it comes to job prospects.

What does that mean ? and why is the knowledge of unix so critical to success ?

[Campbell Ritchie]

webpage

Because lots of people use *nix on their servers, rather than Windows®

[Jimmy Clark]

UNIX is GREAT!

[Bear Bibeault]

Rahul Sudip Bose wrote:

Bear Bibeault wrote:you put yourself well behind the eight ball when it comes to job prospects.

What does that mean ? and why is the knowledge of unix so critical to success ?

It simply means that without Unix command line experience, you'll have a hard time being taken seriously as a developer in the job market.