Editing Unix philosophy (section)

=== ''The UNIX Programming Environment'' ===

In their preface to the 1984 book, ''[[The UNIX Programming Environment]]'', [[Brian Kernighan]] and [[Rob Pike]], both from [[Bell Labs]], give a brief description of the Unix design and the Unix philosophy:<ref name=unix1984>Kernighan, Brian W. Pike, Rob. ''The UNIX Programming Environment.'' 1984. viii</ref>
[[File:Rob-pike-oscon.jpg|thumb|[[Rob Pike]], co-author of ''[[The UNIX Programming Environment]]'']]
{{quote|Even though the UNIX system introduces a number of innovative programs and techniques, no single program or idea makes it work well. Instead, what makes it effective is the approach to programming, a philosophy of using the computer. Although that philosophy can't be written down in a single sentence, at its heart is the idea that the power of a system comes more from the relationships among programs than from the programs themselves. Many UNIX programs do quite trivial things in isolation, but, combined with other programs, become general and useful tools.}}

The authors further write that their goal for this book is "to communicate the UNIX programming philosophy."{{r|unix1984}}