UNIX Made Easy [Paperback]

John Muster (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 007219314X | ISBN-13: 978-0072193145 | Publication Date: April 23, 2002 | Edition: 3

Learn UNIX--the Easy Way! Use the power of Linux and UNIX like a pro--from basic jobs such as creating and editing files and connecting to the Internet to customizing the user environment, using advanced tools, and shell programming. The easy-to-follow format coupled with in-depth coverage of complex utilities and features makes it perfect for beginning and advanced users alike. Filled with expert tips for maximizing efficiency, conceptual images, handy reference tables, and much more, this is the ultimate instructional guide.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Some software publishers endeavor to make their operating systems as easy to learn as possible. Not so for the (various) developers of Unix and Linux. They've optimized the Unix-style environments to ensure maximum productivity for users who know what they're doing, and top performance for the processes those users work with. The flip side of this design decision is a steep learning curve. Unix and its variants can seem highly obtuse to the uninitiated, which is where the third edition of Unix Made Easy comes in. It's a remarkable book, not because it teaches novices how to get around in Unix--plenty of books teach you that ls in Unix is like dir in MS-DOS, and that the vi editor has a million weird commands--but because it teaches its readers how Unix works and why it's more powerful than easier-to-learn environments.

For example, this book devotes a full chapter (one of significant size) to the subject of file permissions. Rather than just spew forth a series of "do this for this, do that for that" steps, the author takes time to explain what happens when you issue a chmod command with a series of parameters. Nicely rendered conceptual diagrams help a lot with this potentially confusing subject. Scores of examples, with instructions explicitly stated, also help the cause. Chapters conclude with exercises you can try in order to prove you know what you're doing. Author John Muster focuses on the Bourne, Korn, and C shells. More coverage of bash, the most popular Linux shell, would make this book better. --David Wall

Topics covered: How to get around in Linux and Unix, mainly at the command line interface. Sections deal with file management, the vi editor, shell scripting, working with users and processes, and doing editing work with sed, and to a lesser extent, awk.

From the Back Cover

Learn UNIX--the Easy Way!

Discover first-hand why thousands of people rely on John Muster's clearly written, step-by-step guide to UNIX and Linux -- now updated in a brand-new third edition. In no time you'll master this ultra-capable operating system using Muster's skill-building exercises, hands-on tutorials, and clear explanations. This informative and instructive guide shows you how to use the power of UNIX and Linux like a pro--from basic jobs such as creating and editing files and connecting to the Internet to customizing the user environment, using advanced tools, and shell programming. Beginners love the easy-to-follow format and practical examples. Intermediate and advanced users benefit from the in-depth coverage of complex utilities and features. Filled with expert tips for maximizing efficiency, conceptual images, handy reference tables, and much more, this is the ultimate instructional guide for every UNIX user!

• Use the power of the Linux Desktop--including KDE and GNOME
• Edit files and use basic desktop utilities
• Create and change directories
• Set file and directory permissions
• Communicate with the shell
• Utilize online resources--including locating Internet help
• Compress, archive, and split files
• Use advanced shell features--including file completion, history, and functions
• Manage and access relational data
• Communicate with other users and systems
• Write interactive scripts and program in the shells

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 1011 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 3 edition (April 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007219314X
• ISBN-13: 978-0072193145
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.1 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Teacher's Experience, September 2, 2004

By 

Pat LLoyd "teacher" (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: UNIX Made Easy (Paperback)

I have been teaching with this book for many years, over 700 students. Class evaluations always rate the book very highly with comments about how clear explanations are. Students learn so much doing the exercises that class discussions are at a much higher level. We use this text in classroom and internet distance learning with great success. The few students over the years who had trouble in the class were trying to avoid doing the work by just looking up answers. That approach isnot effective because the book is built skill upon skill. Students must start at the beginning and actually do the work at the terminal. At first a few students tried to just read it. That approach did not work either. Now I make it very clear that the book is a detailed, hands-on, guide coupled with exact explanations. It must be worked through carefully, at the terminal. When students are willing to put in the effort and do that, they are well rewarded with knowledge and the ability to really do UNIX. I suspect the two reviewers who found the book difficult were not using it properly. My students love it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Novices, July 14, 1999

By 

"butterfi" - See all my reviews

This review is from: UNIX Made Easy: The Basics & Beyond! (Paperback)

I have come back to this book more times then I can count. Its a great book for building basic Unix skills, and a nice introduction to shell programming. John is also an excellent teacher, and for anyone who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, look for Johns "Unix Made Easy" class at the UC Berekely Extension. Two thumbs up!

Now if we can just get John to write a book on system administration...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is a way to learn UNIX, not a reference book, April 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: UNIX Made Easy: The Basics & Beyond! (Paperback)

This book is seen as the essential learning tool around here. It guides us along without pain to the place where we are really quite confident and quite skilled. Clearly it must be used hands on -- at the terminal -- it gives instructions, then explanations in a way that knowledge and skills grow quickly. It is obvious that the authors know a lot about how people learn and how to support that learning.

Although not a reference book, command summaries are located at the ends of all chapters and the index is extensive allowing us to go back to look at a topic easily.

Can't understand why it isn't 5 stars from everyone. Lots of good concise reference books out there -- this one does not attempt to be that. This book is like a tutor, but costs a lot less.