Preface

The SunOS 5.x operating system is based on AT&T's System V Release 4.0 (SVR4) and differs considerably from previous releases of the SunOS operating system. We realize these differences can be confusing and may require a period of adjustment. To ease this transition, the SunOS/BSD Source Compatibility Package is provided. This package contains many of the commands, library routines, and files you are familiar with from the SunOS environment.

Scope of this Manual

In the context of this guide, SunOS 4.1 is a universal term that includes these releases:

• SunOS 4.1

• SunOS 4.1.1

• SunOS 4.1.2

• SunOS 4.1.3

A complete discussion of general compatibility issues can be found in Solaris 1.x to 2.x Transition Guide. This guide provides a comparative listing of SunOS 4.1 interfaces and their SunOS 5.2 counterparts.

How This Book Is Organized

This guide is provided to document the contents of this package, its usage, and how to install it. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the package and explains the mechanics of using it. Chapter 2 provides detailed descriptions of each interface provided in this package. In some cases, a brief tutorial is also provided.

Notations

References to literal computer input (commands you enter) are shown in a bold, monospace font, and computer output (screen messages produced by the system) are shown in a monospace font, as in the following example:

$ ls -l report 
-rw-r--r-- 1 jim doc 3239 May 26 11:21 report 

Substitutable text elements (that is, text elements that you are expected to replace with specific values) are shown in an italic font, as in the following example:

$ cat filename 

The italic font is a signal that you are expected to replace the word filename with the name of a file.

Instructions to the reader to type input usually do not include explicit instructions to press the RETURN key at the appropriate times (such as after entering a command or a menu choice) because this instruction is implied for all system commands and menus.

However, an instruction to press the RETURN key is explicitly provided during an interactive routine, when you are expected to press RETURN without having typed any text. An instruction to do so will be provided, as follows:

Type any key to continue: RETURN
$ 

Control characters are shown by the string CTRL-char where char is any character. To enter a control character, hold down the CTRL key and press the letter shown. Be sure to type the letter exactly as specified: when a lowercase letter is shown (such as the ``d'' in the example above), enter that lowercase letter. If a character is shown in uppercase (such as "CTRL-D") you should enter an uppercase letter.

The system prompt signs shown in examples of interactive sessions are the standard default prompt signs for the system under the following conditions:

• the dollar sign ($) for an ordinary user

• the pound sign (#) for the owner of the root login

Ordering Sun Documents

The SunDocs^SM program provides more than 250 manuals from Sun Microsystems, Inc. If you live in the United States, Canada, Europe, or Japan, you can purchase documentation sets or individual manuals using this program.

For a list of documents and how to order them, see the catalog section of SunExpress^TM On The Internet at http://www.sun.com/ sunexpress.