Unix in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference for SVR4 and Solaris 7 (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Unix in a Nutshell is the standard desktop reference, without question. (Manpages come in a close second.) With a clean layout and superior command tables available at a glance, O'Reilly's third edition of Nutshell is an essential to own.

Like a dictionary, Unix in a Nutshell helps you find what you need, even if you're not exactly sure what you're looking for (or how to spell it!). With that in mind, this book is for intermediate to advanced users only--those new to the Unix operating system would be better off with Learning the Unix Operating System or Unix: Visual Quickstart Guide.

The last full revision of the book was in 1992, and the new edition covers Solaris 7 as well as newer versions of shells (ksh, in particular), RCS, and GNU emacs. Topping off at over 500 pages, Unix in a Nutshell contains--literally--everything you could want to know about the various commands, shells, and functions. Fifty new commands have been added to the already sizable lists, and even the most seasoned user is likely to find a discover a new timesaving command. --Jennifer Buckendorff

Product Description

The bestselling, most informative Unix reference book is now more complete and up to date. Not a scaled-down quick reference of common commands, UNIX in a Nutshell is a complete reference containing all commands and options, along with generous descriptions and examples that put the commands in context. For all but the thorniest Unix problems, this one reference should be all the documentation you need. Thoroughly covering System V Release 4 and Solaris 7, the third edition of UNIX in a Nutshell features 60 new commands, expanded Korn shell documentation, an expanded text editing section with the latest Emacs information, and a comprehensive Unix bibliography. If you currently use Unix SVR4, or if you're a Solaris user, you'll want this book. UNIX in a Nutshell is the most comprehensive quick reference on the market, a must for any Unix user.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 614 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 3rd edition (November 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565924274
• ISBN-13: 978-1565924277
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #604,319 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of its kind, May 8, 2000

By	Doug Vaughn (Washington, Dc USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Unix in a Nutshell continues to be the best overall reference book on the Unix operating system. Organized so that all commands and options are easily found and understood, it is an indispensable tool for those who work in a Unix environment. But it is not just a guide to Unix commands and their options, it also contains a mass of useful information about the Unix Shell, shell scripting, text editing and formatting, and much more. Truely one of the most useful computer reference books I have ever purchased, and for the money it is the best bargain you will find in the Unix field. I highly recommend it for all those who work with (or are interested in) Unix and want just about all the information they could need in one neat package. A great buy.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mikey likes it, he really really likes it!, October 30, 1999

By A Customer

Excellent. What can I say? Well, since I have about 970 words to go, I can say a lot. Here goes. You will like this book. As "Nutshell" books go, this one is "chock-full" of informative tidbits and, the most important thing, EASY TO FIND. I'm glad I bought it. The third edition is very good. And now, the bad news (you didn't think I would let O'Reilly get away with this did you?) I have a huge bone to pick with the editor and possibility the author. The problem is, in SEVERAL places, the author states "Solaris Only" on quite a few commands (and parameters to the command). I'm here to tell you, folks, it ain't necessarily so. I use an AIX box at work and I can state for a fact that over 90% (estimated) of the commands that are stated as "Solaris Only" work great in AIX 4.3. Obviously, neither the editors nor the author tested these commands on an AIX machine. It is somewhat annoying but not unbearable. The bottom line is - try every command (and parms) on your machine before you take the author's word on it. Oh - I almost forgot. Mega-kudos to the proofreaders. In three weeks of using this book, I have yet to find a typo. Way to go, Proofers.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful reference, January 11, 2000

By	Jason Shaw (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Awesome technical reference manual, but doesn't provide very much background or overview information. Not for beginners.