Any suggstions as to start with Linux/Unix Programming

[randomtypos]

I want to start learning programming in this regard, but I do not know where to start and am a little overwhelmed by the amount of options there are.

Are there any suggestions you guys can give me in terms of books to read, flavors of Linux to try, and just any advice in general to help me get on the right foot?

thanks in advance

[Moschops]

It's a cliche for a reason; get a copy of Ubuntu, install it, use the apckage manager to grab the latest GCC, and start coding.

[mik2718]

Any flavour of Linux will do, its advantagous to use an easy to install version such as Ubuntu so as to get going fast.

Get used to using the command line (if you are not already). You don't need advanced shell scripting just know utilities like grep, find, sed etc. (I was going to recommend a pocket guide here but I can't find it - sorry)

Programming wise, I think its OK to initially concentrate on C which is simpler than C++ and gets you used to pointers and the like. Many of the "gurus" in the Linux world refuse to use anything else!

The book I am recommending is "Beginning Linux Programming" Wrox Press, Neil Matthew and Richard Jones.

This book is not as beginner as the title says, but its good on Linux with examples of how to use semaphores, shared memory etc. + the example code is really short and easy to type in!

You might need a more basic C book before starting on this one.

[moatatse]

the gcc compiler is also the the best if you using linux,ubuntu.i recommend it.
Also you can try to get a text book on starting out with c++ if u want to learn c++ first or you can start with C through "How to programme in C"