New to AIX and UNIX

Invented at AT&T Bell Labs in 1969, UNIX (the name is a play on the earlier Multiplexed Information and Computing Service (Multics) operating system) is a robust, flexible, and developer-friendly computing environment. Written originally for the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) family of PDP microcomputers, this most popular of multi-user, general-purpose operating systems has taken over roles in all areas of computing -- even those once held by mainframes.

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Introduced in January of 1986, AIX is the IBM implementation of the UNIX operating system. The newest version of AIX, Version 7, is binary compatible with previous versions of the AIX, including AIX 6, AIX 5L and even earlier versions of AIX. This means applications that ran on earlier versions will continue to run on AIX 7. AIX 7 is an open-standards-based UNIX OS that is designed to comply with the Open Group's Single UNIX Specification Version 4.

See more highlights of AIX 7.

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AIX is supported by a broad range of independent software vendors (ISVs) that provide application solutions to meet business needs. IBM also offers:

• Several management software products to enhance the performance, availability, and efficiency of those ISV applications running in the AIX environment.
• The IBM SDKs for AIX, Java 2 Technology Edition, provides the performance and stability you need for deploying enterprise applications.
• XL C for AIX is a highly advanced standards-based C compiler intended for use on machines running AIX V5.2, V5.3, and V6.1 operating systems.
• XL C/C++ for AIX is a highly advanced standards-based C++ compiler intended for use on machines running AIX V5.2, V5.3, V6.1 and V7.1 operating systems.
• The IBM XL Fortran for AIX is a high-performance compiler for scientists, engineers, and application programmers.
• The IBM COBOL for AIX brings IBM COBOL technology to AIX. This powerful and versatile COBOL application development environment provides a compiler and support tools for creating mission-critical client/server applications.
• Rational Developer for Power provides a complete development environment with integrated edit, compile, and debug capabilities.
• Rational Team Concert provides a lean collaborative lifecycle management solution.

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The IBM learning services site offers classes that cover everything from the basics to development to highly specialized skills, as well as certification. You can also get articles and tips on IBM products from IBM developer solutions. The greater IBM website also offers many other resources, and IBM developerWorks offers articles, tutorials, and resources on AIX and UNIX, as well as several other open or free technologies including XML, wireless, web services, Java technology, and grid computing.

• IBM Power Systems is designed to validate AIX skills and the ability to perform a job role.
• IBM Global services provides access to AIX training courses.
• In addition to providing a summary of web references for UNIX certification, the The Open Group's The UNIX System is a source of various UNIX training and information.

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In addition to steadfast stalwarts like Fortran and C/C++, many scripting and other computer languages are at home on AIX and UNIX.

• Perl lovers will gain a wealth of practical advice from Ted Zlatanov's Cultured Perl column and his Road to better programming series on developerWorks.
• The GNU home page offers a wealth of free tools and support.

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Trial software offers