Berkeley DB

My first encounter with Berkeley DB was with Perl and a CGI web counter. I had to use it because I didn't want to use a flat text file, nor did I have the tools to use PostGres or MySQL available.The book's format is very much like a bound set of well-written man pages and tutorials. I don't think - though the editors would know better - that there's much in the book you won't find online or in a Berkeley DB Distribution.Hence, if you are comfortble reading man pages and source only and/or using a web browser and the Internet to read technical documentation you can:a) preview the book b) avoid buying the book completelyNonetheless, the book is worth it because there are times when written, paper documentation does excel over online documentation for format alone [try having 6 xterms open, three virtual consoles and remembering which one had the online man pages open].The only detracting thing is that someone made a mistake when numbering the contents in the first print and I have one of the first prints. Hence I know what's in the book but not exactly where; not a major problem as I tend to get used to the book layout in the end.Conclusion:It's a good book; it's both a reference and a reasonable tutorial for those who need one. It won't teach you how to program, but it will help you understand the Berkeley DB style of thinking.I'd suggest buying it...