Stories with Tag command-line tools

• Nping – ping, but with a graph or table view

  permalink

  Posted: 2025-02-12 10:43:02

  Verbose tl;dr

  Nping enhances the standard ping utility by providing a more visual and informative way to analyze network performance. It displays ping results in a variety of formats, including real-time graphs and customizable tables, offering a clearer picture of latency, packet loss, and other metrics over time. Beyond basic ping functionality, Nping supports TCP ping, UDP ping, and a range of other network probes, making it a versatile tool for network diagnostics and troubleshooting. Its flexible output options allow users to tailor the information displayed, focusing on the metrics most relevant to their specific needs.

  The GitHub project, Nping, introduces a powerful command-line network scanning and packet crafting tool designed to enhance and extend the functionality of the traditional ping utility. While retaining the core ping functionality of sending ICMP echo requests and measuring response times, Nping significantly broadens its capabilities by offering a variety of advanced features. One of its most notable features is the ability to visualize ping results in graphical or tabular formats, providing a more intuitive and readily interpretable representation of network performance. This visualization aspect allows users to quickly identify trends, anomalies, and patterns in latency that might be missed with the standard, linear output of traditional ping.

  Beyond visualization, Nping supports a comprehensive range of network scanning techniques, including TCP ping, UDP ping, and the ability to ping a range of IP addresses or subnets. This makes it a versatile tool for not just checking basic connectivity, but also for exploring network topology and identifying active hosts. It empowers users to meticulously craft and send custom packets, offering fine-grained control over various network protocols and packet parameters. This level of customization allows for sophisticated network testing, security auditing, and troubleshooting scenarios. For example, a user could craft specific TCP packets to test firewall rules or simulate various network conditions.

  Nping boasts extensive scripting capabilities, enabling automation of complex network tasks and integration with other tools. This feature transforms it from a simple diagnostic tool into a powerful component within larger network management and security workflows. Users can automate repetitive tasks like regular network scans or create custom scripts for specific testing scenarios. The project emphasizes its user-friendly interface, aiming to provide a straightforward experience for both novice and experienced users. This includes clear documentation and readily accessible examples to facilitate rapid adoption and effective utilization of the tool's functionalities. Ultimately, Nping offers a significant upgrade over the traditional ping command, providing a more comprehensive and versatile toolset for network analysis and management, packaged within an accessible and user-friendly interface.

  • nping
  • ping
  • networking
  • Network Analysis
  • Network Monitoring
  • network tools
  • command-line tools
  • cli
  • Visualization
  • graph
  • table
  • Data Visualization
  • Open Source
  • GitHub
  • Linux
  • macOS
  • Windows
  • Cross-Platform

  Summary of Comments ( 43 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43023991

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally expressed interest in Nping, praising its modern interface and potential usefulness. Several commenters highlighted the value of the table view, particularly for quickly comparing multiple pings. Some suggested additional features like customizable columns and integration with other tools. One commenter questioned the project's longevity and update frequency, while another pointed out the existing, though less visually appealing, prettyping tool. The discussion also touched on the benefits of using Rust and the possibility of leveraging existing libraries like tui-rs for further development.

  The Hacker News post "Nping – ping, but with a graph or table view" linking to the GitHub repository for Nping generated several comments discussing its utility and comparing it to existing tools.

  One commenter pointed out the value of Nping's ability to present ping results in a graphical format, making it easier to visualize latency trends over time. They specifically highlighted the usefulness of this feature for identifying intermittent network issues, which can be difficult to spot with traditional ping's linear output.

  Another comment mentioned the pre-existing tool mtr, which combines the functionality of traceroute and ping. They suggested that Nping might be redundant given mtr's capabilities. This sparked a small discussion about the differences between the two tools, with someone clarifying that mtr focuses on the route and hops while Nping is centered on the ping results themselves. They noted that while mtr can show latency graphs, Nping's presentation is cleaner and potentially more suitable for specific use cases.

  A different user appreciated the simplicity and ease of use offered by Nping, praising its intuitive interface and clear presentation. They saw it as a valuable tool for quick network diagnostics.

  The conversation also touched upon the technical aspects of the tool. One commenter asked about the implementation details, specifically inquiring about the language used and whether it leveraged any particular libraries. The author of Nping responded, explaining that it was written in Go and utilized the termui library for the terminal-based graphical interface. They also provided further context regarding the motivation behind creating Nping, highlighting the desire for a more visually appealing and easily interpretable ping output.

  Finally, there was a brief exchange concerning the potential integration of Nping with other tools or platforms. One commenter suggested incorporating it into a larger network monitoring suite, while another proposed potential improvements to the graphical display, such as adding customizable time windows and more detailed statistics.

• Douglas McIlroy responds to Unix spell article with new implementation details

  permalink

  Posted: 2025-02-06 14:03:39

  Verbose tl;dr

  Douglas McIlroy, the original author of the Unix spell command, responded to an article detailing its inner workings with further insights into its development. He clarified that the efficient hashing used wasn't a conscious optimization but rather a side effect of the limited memory available on the PDP-7. The stop word list was chosen pragmatically to shrink the dictionary size. McIlroy also revealed that he experimented with stemming algorithms, ultimately discarding them due to excessive performance overhead and concerns about false positives. He highlighted the importance of spell's collaborative development, with Steve Johnson's later refinements significantly improving its accuracy and efficiency.

  A Twitter post by Abhijeet Rastogi (@abhi9u) highlights a recent communication from Douglas McIlroy, one of the original Unix developers, regarding the historical implementation of the Unix spell command. McIlroy's response provides further clarification and previously undisclosed details about the ingenious techniques employed in the early versions of this utility. The original spell command, known for its efficiency despite limited computing resources, leveraged a clever combination of hashing and a pre-generated list of correctly spelled words.

  McIlroy elaborates on the specific hashing algorithm used, a variant involving the exclusive-or (XOR) operation applied iteratively to character codes within each input word. This XOR-based hashing function, unlike simpler hashing methods, incorporated a rotational element to distribute hashed values more evenly. The resulting hash values were then used to index into a bit table, effectively representing a compact set of correctly spelled words.

  Critically, McIlroy's communication reveals that the original implementation actually used two such hash tables. This two-table approach significantly reduced the incidence of false positives, where incorrectly spelled words might accidentally produce the same hash value as a correctly spelled word. By requiring a match in both tables, the spell command achieved a higher degree of accuracy.

  Furthermore, McIlroy's response sheds light on the method used to generate the word list itself. He explains that they derived the word list from the Webster's Second International Dictionary, specifically by processing the phototypesetter tapes used in its printing. This method allowed them to efficiently extract a comprehensive vocabulary for the spell command's use.

  In conclusion, the Twitter post showcases McIlroy's valuable insights into the early development of the Unix spell command, unveiling the specific XOR-based hashing algorithm, the dual-table approach for enhanced accuracy, and the source of the word list itself. This information adds historical context and technical depth to our understanding of this fundamental Unix utility and the innovative solutions employed in its creation.

  • Douglas McIlroy
  • unix
  • spell
  • implementation details
  • Software History
  • programming
  • command-line tools
  • Operating Systems
  • Retrocomputing

  Summary of Comments ( 1 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42962394

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters discuss McIlroy's response regarding the original Unix spell program. Several express fascination with the historical context and McIlroy's continued engagement with the topic. Some highlight the elegance and efficiency of the original implementation, particularly its use of hashing and minimal resources. Others note the contrast between then-current hardware limitations and modern capabilities, marveling at what was achieved with so little. A few commenters delve into specific technical details, such as the choice of hashing algorithms and the use of a 64KB PDP-11. The overall sentiment is one of appreciation for both McIlroy's contribution and the ingenuity of early Unix development.

  The Hacker News post titled "Douglas McIlroy responds to Unix spell article with new implementation details" links to a Twitter thread where McIlroy provides further insights into the development of the Unix spell program. The discussion on Hacker News is relatively brief, containing only a handful of comments, and doesn't delve deep into the technical details. It predominantly focuses on McIlroy's historical contributions and the ingenuity of early Unix utilities.

  One commenter expresses admiration for McIlroy's continuing engagement with the history and evolution of these tools, noting the privilege of receiving such insights directly from the source. They highlight the elegance and efficiency of the original spell implementation, emphasizing its lasting impact.

  Another comment briefly touches on the historical context, mentioning Ken Thompson's role and the development environment at the time. It underscores the limited resources available then, contributing to the impressive nature of the achievements.

  The remaining comments are concise, expressing appreciation for the historical details shared and acknowledging McIlroy's significant contribution to Unix. One commenter specifically points out the value of learning about the original design constraints and decisions.

  The discussion lacks substantial technical analysis of McIlroy's new information. It serves more as a space for acknowledging his contributions and expressing appreciation for the historical context he provides. There's no significant debate or contrasting viewpoints presented in the limited number of comments.