Unix Power Tools, Third Edition 3rd Edition

by Shelley Powers (Author), Jerry Peek (Author), Tim O'Reilly (Author),

49 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0596003302

ISBN-10: 0596003307

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With the growing popularity of Linux and the advent of Darwin, Unix has metamorphosed into something new and exciting. No longer perceived as a difficult operating system, more and more users are discovering the advantages of Unix for the first time. But whether you are a newcomer or a Unix power user, you'll find yourself thumbing through the goldmine of information in the new edition of Unix Power Tools to add to your store of knowledge. Want to try something new? Check this book first, and you're sure to find a tip or trick that will prevent you from learning things the hard way.The latest edition of this best-selling favorite is loaded with advice about almost every aspect of Unix, covering all the new technologies that users need to know. In addition to vital information on Linux, Darwin, and BSD, Unix Power Tools 3rd Edition now offers more coverage of bash, zsh, and other new shells, along with discussions about modern utilities and applications. Several sections focus on security and Internet access. And there is a new chapter on access to Unix from Windows, addressing the heterogeneous nature of systems today. You'll also find expanded coverage of software installation and packaging, as well as basic information on Perl and Python.Unix Power Tools 3rd Edition is a browser's book...like a magazine that you don't read from start to finish, but leaf through repeatedly until you realize that you've read it all. Bursting with cross-references, interesting sidebars explore syntax or point out other directions for exploration, including relevant technical details that might not be immediately apparent. The book includes articles abstracted from other O'Reilly books, new information that highlights program tricks and gotchas, tips posted to the Net over the years, and other accumulated wisdom.Affectionately referred to by readers as "the" Unix book, UNIX Power Tools provides access to information every Unix user is going to need to know. It will help you think creatively about UNIX, and will help you get to the point where you can analyze your own problems. Your own solutions won't be far behind.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The mark of a craftsman is his familiarity with his tools, the speed with which he can use them to solve simple problems, and his cleverness in using them to solve more complicated challenges. The latest edition of Unix Power Tools explores the standard Unix tools in greater depth than ever, and with better coverage of Linux, FreeBSD, and even the Darwin environment of Mac OS X. It's also been improved by the addition of sections on Perl and Python, programming languages that can often solve Unix problems more adeptly than any specific utility. This detail-filled book distinguishes itself from other guides for Unix gurus with its organizational structure (it's a series of articles that can be absorbed sequentially or individually) and carefully designed and executed index. Like its esteemed predecessors, this book is one you will keep handy.

The authors have achieved a nearly ideal balance in the pages of this book. It's not just a collection of recipes (such collections tend to leave you hanging if you want to do something a little differently), it's not just a book of documentation (books like that have application mainly as references for people who know a lot already), and it's not just a conceptual how-to guide. Unix Power Tools is all of those things, and the overall effect is impressive indeed. If you work with any flavor of Unix, whatever your level of experience, you will benefit by having this book. --David Wall

Topics covered: How to work efficiently, elegantly, and creatively with the Unix tool suite, as well as (to a lesser extent) with Perl and Python scripts. Tips and strategies on customization, document generation, process management, and networking abound in this wisdom-rich volume.

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"Highly recommended." - Tony Houghton, Cvu, June 2003

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Product details

Paperback: 1200 pages
Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 3rd edition (October 1, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0596003307
ISBN-13: 978-0596003302
Product Dimensions: 7 x 2.6 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 49 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #338,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #10 in Books > Computers & Technology > Operating Systems > Unix > Shell
- #69 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Home Improvement & Design > How-to & Home Improvements > Power Tools
- #93 in Books > Computers & Technology > Operating Systems > Macintosh

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A customer

Ultimate toilet book for the intermediate linux user

August 13, 2009

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

There's really nothing I can say in this review that isn't blatantly obvious from skimming the table of contents/sample pages from the product page here. It's a good book for understanding the low-level aspects of the common linux variants and how to do mundane, useful tasks from the command line, and I leave it in the john so I can skim through it and learn something while making my communion with nature.

However, what I find incredibly annoying and distracting is the authors' need to mindlessly put their initials after each paragraph that they write. The cover of the book says it all - there are four authors, and they wrote the book. Great. Good for them. They wrote a book. There's no need to remind the reader of every little inch of text that each of the four authors has individually contributed. It seems unprofessional, childish, and I've never seen anything like it anywhere before. The subject is not rocket science (most of the topics documented have been living in *nix systems for ages) and they didn't create any of it; they're simply telling us about it.

I mean, did these people say to themselves, "Wow! look at me! I wrote the section called 'The Superuser (Root)' and there are my initials to tell the world (and my grandma) about it; signed, '-ML.'" It's not like 'ML' actually had anything at all to do with creation of the concept of the superuser, so why does he/she feel the need to point out specifically to us that they wrote 3 little paragraphs describing it? I mean, if 'ML' was doing such great things, he/she probably would be doing far better things in life than writing books that folks like me read in the toilet.

If I bought a car, and everyone who'd designed every little piece of it felt the compulsion to put their initials on each little piece, people would laugh at me in such a car...but luckily this book lives in my bathroom where few people see it.

The consequent addition of maybe 50 pages that all of this superfluous initialing has created (ah ha! now I understand why they did it!) costs a star. Otherwise it would be a solid 4 star effort.

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Amazon Customer

One Star

December 15, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Good book but none of the hundreds of Unix examples are displayed in the Kindle Version,very disappointing.

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Bryce Fisher-Fleig

Amazing

April 30, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book was exactly what I needed. As a self-taught web developer who gets tripped up on remote linux boxes, this book provides an in-depth look at many aspects of *nux use and administration, especially the various shells and filters. I really liked the opening chapters that provided a theoretical understanding of what Unix is, how it evolved, and what it's good for.

One of the best features is the organization of the book. The book is organized into clusters of chapters on a general theme such scripting. Each chapter focuses on one aspect of that theme, such as "Bash scripting" or "Perl Scripting." Individual chapters are themselves split into numbered sections (supplied in the footer of every page). The main idea is that you can and should read the sections of interest to you rather reading cover to cover. It's especially brilliant because, like a properly abstracted software design, the text is extensively cross-referenced inline making it easy to jump to the relevant section for more detail on a supporting topic.

The main reason I gave this book a 4 instead of a 5 is that the information is somewhat dated (2001?). For example, the section on GUIs and internet security is really old (although some of that is still relevant as well). However, it still contains valuable information on shell scripting, tools like `sed` and many topics which have have thus far continued to be true. I can't imagine gathering this information as easily through a google search. Plus, the authors are all vetted experts in their fields.

It won't teach you everything you need to know about Unix, but it will give you an in depth grasp on many topics, and it's a fantastic reference for someone like me who struggles to work in a Unix environment already and wants a firmer grasp.

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JShew

What a Wonderful Book!

October 1, 2007

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I've worked in IT for 20+ years, and this is one of the best books I've found. What an index! And even the text of the book has reference "pointers" (for lack of a better term) sprinkled throughout it. Even if you don't initially find what you are looking for, you can usually read a couple of paragraphs and find a link to what you need. This book is a "keeper!"

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Chris

Great for Unix n00bs and as a reference guide

July 19, 2010

Format: Paperback

When I first bought this book I only knew how to do basic things like moving around directories, opening files with VI, and restarting servers. There were lots of other things I knew I wanted to do but didn't know the commands for. This book helped me learn the commands I needed.

Alternatively, I could have Googled for answers but I would have spent more time sifting through Experts Exchange than I would have finding what I needed. Unix Power Tools is well organized and has the answer to pretty much any basic question while also having intermediate and advanced content. Plus, when I did find an answer, it was usually concise yet informative with a few concrete examples.

One downside is that the sections are written by different people so some are better than others. Also, although I prefer concise answers, some may be a little too concise. Either way, I don't have experience with a lot of Unix reference books, but I can see why this one was so highly recommended. I can say for sure it has everything a Unix n00b needs.

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Most recent customer reviews

soohuatLee

Five Stars

great

Published 6 months ago

alram0001

A good reference book

This book is a good reference for some one who knows Linux, it is a collection of articles on how to do things. This book is not for someone who wants to learn Linux.

Published 1 year ago

T. Wartonick

Awesome, just awesome

A great refresher/reference and learning tool. Will definately be well worn by me in time. It's fun to just open up a random page and try out whatever is there.

Published 1 year ago

Five Stars

Came in on time and new condition, as advertised. Thanks.

Published 1 year ago

Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Great reference book for someone new to unix, but familiar with general programming.

Published 1 year ago

Mr. Curmudgeon

One of the best UBIX bonds available

One of the best UBIX bonds available. The almanac-like format and cross-referencing are great for non-sequential reading, allowing the reader to read just the parts he or she...Read more

Published on August 29, 2015

CthulhuTop Contributor: Pets

Classic must-have for neophytes and gray beards alike.

I learned so much from this book back in the day, and was happy to give it as a gift to someone just getting going. I pulled out my old copy and still learned a few tricks.Read more

Published on June 29, 2015

Technophobe01

The Definitive Unix Command Line Programming Reference.

Still a definitive reference for Unix Command Line programming - highly highly recommended. I own both a physical copy and a kindle version.Read more

Published on March 21, 2015

GARY R DENCH

Five Stars

Highly recommended A+++++

Published on February 25, 2015

Amazon Customer

A classic

Published on October 3, 2014

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