Download Linux/UNIX System Programming Fundamentals course description (PDF)
Course code: M7D-SPINTRO01
Download Linux/UNIX System Programming Fundamentals course description (PDF)
This two-day course provides a sound understanding of the operating system architecture and low-level interfaces (principally, system calls and library functions) that are required to build system-level applications on Linux and UNIX systems. The course consists of a mixture of detailed presentations coupled with a large number of carefully designed practical exercises that allow participants to apply the knowledge learned in the presentations.
By the completion of the course, participants will have mastered the basic building blocks required to build system-level applications. The course also provides the prerequisite knowledge that is required for either of the follow-on courses, Linux/UNIX Threads and IPC Programming (M7D-TIPC01) and Linux/UNIX IPC Programming (M7D-IPC02).
Previous system programming experience (on Linux, UNIX, or any other operating system) is not required.
This course covers the same topics as the first part (the first two days) of the Linux/UNIX System Programming (M7D-LUSP01) course.
The course employs a lecture+lab format.
The audience for this course is in practice rather diverse, and includes:
In order to get the most out of the course, participants should have:
The content of the course is applicable in a range of compiled programming languages, such as C, C++, Rust, and D and scripting languages such as Python, and participants are welcome to use their preferred language in the lab sessions.
Note: previous system programming experience is not required.
A significant part of the course is spent on practical exercises. The lab sessions also provide participants with the opportunity to obtain one-to-one assistance from the trainer on the course material and exercises.
Course participants receive course books of around 250 pages.
The course books include all of the slides and exercises
presented in the course.
Some notable features of the course book are the following:
In addition to the course book, participants receive a copy of The Linux Programming Interface, in either ebook or printed form (or, when possible, both).
The following sample give some idea of the course content and style of the course materials:
For onsite and virtual onsite courses, please email training@man7.org regarding availability and pricing.
| Date | Location | Maximum participants | |
| 7-8 April 2025 | Online: UTC+2 timezone (Europe) | 14 | Registration |
| 23-24 June 2025 | Online: UTC-4 timezone (Americas) | 14 | Registration |
| 2-3 February 2026 | Online: UTC+1 timezone (Europe) | 14 | Registration |
Online courses in Europe timezones are normally timed around Berlin time, starting at 08:00, 08:30, or 09:00. Online courses in Americas timezones are normally timed around New York time, starting at 09:00 or 10:00. Depending on the length of breaks, classes typically run for 8 to 8.5 hours per day.
For public online courses, the per-attendee price is €1400 reduced to €1300 when booked (and either paid or a company purchase order is supplied) at least 4 weeks before the start of the course. (In addition, 19% German VAT is charged for participants attending from German locations; 19% German VAT is also applicable for private attendees in any location in the European Union without a VAT ID.)
Currently (and for the foreseeable future), public versions of this course are delivered only in online format.
Discounts are available for multiple attendees from the same company or organization; please inquire at training@man7.org for details.
Michael Kerrisk has a unique set of qualifications and experience that
ensure that course participants receive training of a very high standard:
For more information about the trainer, as well as many reasons why you might want to consider choosing man7.org training courses, please see reasons to choose man7.org training.
For further inquiries about the course, please get in contact via one of the following methods:
If you would like to be added to a mailing list to receive notifications of public training courses that are scheduled in the future, send a mail (noting your location) to training@man7.org.