Linux System Commands [Paperback]

Patrick Volkerding (Author), Kevin Reichard (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764546694 | ISBN-13: 978-0764546693 | Publication Date: April 4, 2000 | Edition: 1

Can't remember the Linux command that will propel your project forward? If you're new to the world of Linux or just need some quick phrases, Linux System Commands is your one-stop reference for all Linux commands:
* KDE and GNOME
* File management
* text processing
* Internet and e-mail
* Mtools and programming
With this flexible guide, you can look up commands by function, name, or DOS equivalent.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The measure of a computer language command reference is its ability to balance depth and breadth with clarity and accessibility. A language reference is no different from a database except for the constraint that a human being will access the database with two hands, furrowed brows, and a sense of urgency.

Patrick Volkerding and Kevin Reichard have struck a workable balance in Linux System Commands, a reference that provides brief descriptions and commonly used command-line options for end users. The entries are not intended to be exhaustive, and more information on any command can be obtained by using the online man pages. The command list is, likewise, limited to commands that end users will need, according to the authors' opinion. System administrators who need rapid access to descriptions of more sophisticated commands, such as routed, will have to seek other references, such as Scott Hawkins's fine Linux Desk Reference.

Part I, which comprises 50 pages, is highlighted by two tables that map common end-user needs onto the appropriate Linux command. The first table correlates a routine task with its Linux command, and the second table correlates MS-DOS commands with their Linux equivalents. The first contains many relatively obscure Linux commands that deserve browsing. For instance, rev reverses character order on each line of a file--an uncommon need, but useful in context.

Part II, the main commands reference, is divided into seven topical areas: general (including X11), file management, text processing, Internet/e-mail, programming, networking, and MS-DOS tools. Each chapter is composed of alphabetized, one-page synopses of the major commands. For brevity, examples of command use are omitted from the synopses.

Part III, which covers Linux shells, is so brief as to be inconsequential.

Commands references are not without their allegiances. Volkerding, who maintains the Slackware distribution of Linux, includes a description of installpkg, the Slackware package installer, but omits rpm, the rival Red Hat package manager, from his list. Betraying sympathies for Macintosh, Volkerding and Reichard emphasize Linux commands that control HFS, the Macintosh file system.

Linux System Commands should be left in a place where you are likely to browse it peacefully on a daily basis, if only for 5 or 10 minutes at a time. It also would do well next to your computer. --Peter Leopold

From the Publisher

Your One-Stop Guide For:

An overview of Linux structures and commands

DOS commands and their Linux equivalents

Linux commands A to Z

Commands for KDE and GNOME

File-management commands

Text-processing commands

Internet/e-mail commands

Programming commands

Networking commands

Mtools commands

An overview of the Linux shells

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764546694
• ISBN-13: 978-0764546693
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,009,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you only get one Linux commands books, make it this one., March 30, 2000

By 

Chris Montalbano (Birmingham, AL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux System Commands (Paperback)

It's about time. "Linux System Commands" is the best book I have yet sean on Linux commands, syntax, purpose and options for those commands. It's laid out like the old DOS manual. It is very complete and easy to find a command. Here is what you"ll find inside.

Chapter 1: A short introduction to the Linux structure and how to exicute commands.

Chapter 2: This is a "what if I want to" chapter. Theses are 2 column pages with a "what if I want to" header on the left column and "use this Linux command" header on the right column. Example:

IF YOU WANT TO_____________USE THIS LINUX COMMAND

create a new group___________groupadd

copy files___________________cp, cat

chapter 3: Linux/DOS Cross-Reference

Chapter 4: A very comprehensive, alphabetical list, of most of the commands available in Linux, and the chapter within the book that the detailed info & syntax can be found.

Chapter 5: General-purpose commands. It lists the "Purpose", the "Arguments", "Options" and "Related Commands". Some commands include:agetty, dc, listres, xset.

Chapter 6: File Management commands in the same format as chapter 5. Commands include: basename, mkfifo,znew.

Chapter 7: Text Processing commands in the same formate as chapters 5 & 6. Commands include: cut, diff, ispell, less.

Chapter 8: Internet/Electronic Mail commands. Again same format as 5-7. Commands include: biff, messages, readmsg.

Chapter 9: Programming commands like: as, bison, gprof.

Chapter 10: Networking commands like: afpd, bootptest.

Chapter 11: MTools Commands like: mattrib, mformat.

Chapter 12: Working with Linux shells.

If you own only one book on Linux commands this is it.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don t waste your money on this, July 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Linux System Commands (Paperback)

It s just a printout of man pages. Even that is not organized properly. I returned the book. Buy naba Brkakati's book instead

1.0 out of 5 stars hmm... where is "mount"?, October 20, 2003

By 

St Charles, MO "the_donlee" (St. Charles, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux System Commands (Paperback)

Here is just one experience I've had with the book (you be the judge):

Looking for the "mount command", the index refers you to page 27.
Page 27 contains the following line:
If you want to "mount a disk"...Use this Linux command: "mount".

But is the "mount" command in the book? NOPE!

If mount was an obscure command I could understand it not being in the book. Not including it though, is like leaving the "meat" section out of a cookbook on grilling!

This book is woefully incomplete. Save your money!