Linux, Programmer's Reference [Paperback]

Richard Petersen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Programmer's Reference | Publication Date: December 10, 1999

The new Linux kernel 2.2 became available earlier this year. The two main distributors of Linux: Red Hat and Caldera Open Systems released their updated distributions of Linux, based on the 2.2 Kernel this Spring. We have a logical opportunity to update this existing Programmer's Reference based on the new kernel 2.2 and maximize sales opportunities
-- Everyone is aware of how popular Linux has become in the past year. There were 12 million Linux users in 1998, 7.5 million users in 1997, and it is estimated that there will be more than 15 million users by the end of 1999. With the increase in popularity, more programmers will need a quick reference where they can look up information based on the latest version of the Linux kernel.
-- We have sold 10,000 units of the first edition of the book since it published in June 1998. Other books in the series such as SQL, HTML, VB6, and C++ have sold an average of 20,000 units each. We are adding over 100 pages to this edition and raising the series price to $19.99. We are launching three revisions for the January/February timeframe: Java, Linux, and SQL.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This handy-sized volume is an excellent reference and a superb companion to Linux: The Complete Reference, Third Edition, also by Petersen. -- Elizabeth Zinkann, Sys Admin Magazine, June 2000

From the Back Cover

All the essential information you need--at your fingertips!

Learn all the core features of Linux, including the BASH, TCSH, and Z shells, using this hands-on resource. Paced with precise syntax, Linux Programmer's Reference, Second Edition covers the latest Linux kernel, 2.2, and captures all the nuances of the various shells. You'll get programming examples for each command and expert advice on how, when, and why to use each command, helping you choose the one that best suits your particular task. With this accessible guide on hand, you'll be able to implement quick solutions to all of your programming challenges--in no time.

Use it and you will:

• Learn all about the elements of Linux and exactly how and when to use them
• Master the features of Linux kernel 2.2
• Find essential Linux keywords, commands, and functions quickly
• Learn to develop Gnome and KDE applications

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 443 pages
• Publisher: Osborne Publishing; 2nd edition (December 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072123559
• ISBN-13: 978-0072123555
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,560,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A litte clarification..., January 22, 2000

By 

Patrick Roberts (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Linux, Programmer's Reference (Paperback)

The title of this book isn't exacly clear as to what it contains as the text, title, and summary use 'programming' to refer to both C/C++ programming and scripting. It has a some sections on using gcc, gdb, and make, but the first 157 pages are a reference to unix CLI syntax and shell commands (like "Unix in a Nutshell"). It would probably be good for a programmer who has never worked with Unix before. I was hoping for more of a "Linux Programmers" reference that covered Linux-specific nuances, libraries and devices, rather than a "Linux for Programmers" that shows how to use a shell and what the command line arguments are for gcc, etc... I guess the bottom line is it's not about programming, it's about scripting and the basic Linux/Unix tools that a programmer would use.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The title say it all., February 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Linux Programmer's Reference (Paperback)

The title of this book does not mask the contents at all, it is a reference for programmers who use the Linux operating system. It does not "dumb-down" the material in order to make it more approachable to the new user or concern itself with unrelated issues. It is a reference, if you have a dumb programming related question, you get a clear and concise answer without having to search countless pages or read grandiose prose that serves no purpose.

The book seems divided into two parts. The first few chapters involve the various shells and the creation and executing of shell scripts, including a description of all of the programming related commands for that shell, the syntax, usage, and examples where necessary. The last few chapters concern the compiling, debugging, and packaging of C and C++ programs under Linux. Readers without any knowledge of C will not find it very useful. There is also an appendix with Perl and Tcl/Tk scripting language commands and TeX/LaTeX commands.

Experienced Unix users who are migrating to Linux can certainly make use of this book, it includes a lot of Linux specific information, especially on critical gcc compiler and library issues. There are also sections covering the Make utility, Rpm creation and Man page writing which really round out the other information in the book. The appendixes are simple lists of commands and do not reflect the rest of the content.

New Linux users may also find the book informative even if just for the lists of shell commands. If you are new to Linux and don't write programs at least here is a good reference to what all of those programming tools on your Linux system actually do and why they are important.

Personally I try to take good care of my books and keep then in good condition, unfortunately my copy of Linux Programmer's Reference is starting to look like I've owned it for years not weeks, I refer to it far more that I expected to.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good if you know your programming but are new to Linux., August 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Linux Programmer's Reference (Paperback)

If you already know the basics of programming (or even a little more than that), you're looking at Linux and you're a little confused about how it all goes together, this book does a pretty good job of explaining things, and it seems to be a good reference.

Example - I knew there were 'a.out' systems and 'ELF' systems, but I was a little confused when my Red Hat box started spitting out files named 'a.out' - this book explains the situation.

Before you read this you'd want to know what a shell is, and that there are several kinds of shell, and so on. You'd want to have a fair grasp of C and programming fundamentals (the shared library examples dive straight in with function pointers for example). You would also need to know your way around a Unix system before coming near the book, it's not going to help you in that area. IMHO that's a good thing, it cuts straight to the chase with the content.

In style, the book is _very_ concise. You'll need to read each page a couple of times to get the juice out. Occasionally it's too concise - it covers RCS (revision control system) and the 'ci' and 'co' commands without ever noting that they stand for 'check-in' and 'check-out', a concept that surely makes RCS easier to understand.

The examples that run through the book generally seem well structured and are able to be typed in and run on your machine as you read.

Overall I found this to be useful - it cleared up a LOT of dumb questions that I had. I'd like to have seen more on scripting languages than the appendices listing commands in Perl and Tcl/Tk. If a solid chapter on scripting languages was there instead of the two appendices, this would be a great book. As it is, it's still good. Well written, concise and it covers the ground. It'll do me!