Guide to Unix Using Linux, Second Edition [With 2 CDROM's]

Not a complete review, however for those of us who struggle with getting Unix shell scripting off the ground and understanding how to put a script together from scratch - this book is about a close as I have come across to explaining how to do it. I have read books, done tutorials online, went to classes and still could not grasp how to write a script from scratch, without ripping someone else's script and modifying it. The book teaches you the core of the system and that's what makes it worth the price.

this is a great book, it was used buy in great conditions almost to new. It included both CD's. Im really satisfied with this book

Judging by the reviews, this appears to be a book you either love or hate, depending on how you like to learn. Incidentally, my review is based on the edition that preceded this one. Plusses: Although you can learn UNIX by reading books or online guides, anyone who has started from "zero" realizes that the process is very confusing to someone who doesn't already know UNIX--as strange as that may sound. This is often the case when the programmers and IT professionals write the books and online guides--you know, those people who believe anyone can look at a man page and understand exactly what is being stated. They forgot how much they know and it is reflected in the way the material is presented, which cannot be easily deciphered by someone who is not already "part of the group." Therefore, "ordinary" people or beginners--even those with experience outside of UNIX--need something better that will cover all the basics in a clear way that can be understood without already being a computer science major in college or an IT professional. For these people, Guide to UNIX Using Linux provides a welcome and relatively easy introduction to UNIX. (Although understanding UNIX is not a trivial process, it is fifty times easier to get acquainted with UNIX using this book than to try to figure out what to do using man pages in my opinion.) Negatives: The book contains some fundamental weaknesses. Sure, not all versions of UNIX or Linux the user may encounter are going to be identical, so I did not anticipate that every command would work perfectly with every system, but some of the examples did not work as expected. When the book refers to something that does not exist in the book text, you have a problem. For example, in the Chapter 2 review questions, it asks about a solution that simplifies things for users who must access files that have a long pathname. The answer is "Teach them to use a symbolic link." Although that is a correct answer, neither chapter 1 or 2 discusses symbolic links. Omissions like this can leave a person frustrated and confused. Further, after purchasing an $80.00 book, you would think that a reader should not have to go on the Internet to find answers to questions in their textbook. Overall, the book is very good. If you find the price a little steep, consider getting a used copy.

I am using this book as a resource for teaching Linux to students. This book is good and well organized. Unlike most books out there, it does not start by explaining you how to install Linux, which is an excellent concept. You can learn the basics about Unix and once you are familiar with it you can go on and learn more. The "advanced" exercises really give you a good grasp of how to use the concepts explained in every chapter. I highly recommend it.

I am an old student of Jack Dent and I am fortunate to have been able to perfect my skills of UNIX under him. I was with him when he was writing the book and was able to see and contribute to the book as it was being developed. Now that I have read the book as a finished product I think that it should be in the home of everyone that is in the UNIX field. The book is one of only two that I would read over and over, not only as a reference, but as a teaching tool as well. Five stars all the way.