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Recommendation for a Unix book

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 3:35 pm
by Ice Cream Jonsey
I hate Unix, but the reason I hate it is that I grew up on DOS 3 and not Unix. Otherwise, I'm sure I'd hate DOS.

Well, I don't want to hate the player or the game any longer. Is there a definitive Unix book out there which clearly states how to do things? I am the kind of person who despises "examples" that are provided without complete and realistic syntax, so that is a big plus too.

I'm hoping that there is a tome out there like the C book I have (it's the one by Kernighan and Ritchie). I don't need to "learn" anything, just have quick access to syntax which clearly states how to do what I know I can do in Unix.

Anyway, anyone got a recommendation? This would save me a few hours of research.

Re: Recommendation for a Unix book

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 4:32 pm
by bruce
Ice Cream Jonsey wrote: I'm hoping that there is a tome out there like the C book I have (it's the one by Kernighan and Ritchie). I don't need to "learn" anything, just have quick access to syntax which clearly states how to do what I know I can do in Unix.

Anyway, anyone got a recommendation? This would save me a few hours of research.
Well, if you want the exact equivalent of K&R, it would be Kernighan and Pike, <i>The Unix Programming Environment</i>. However, it's pretty dated, written in 1984. A lot has happened since then.

From a system administration standpoint, Evi Nemeth's book is terrific.

What is it you want to do?

Bruce

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 7:46 pm
by Ice Cream Jonsey
I've given this some thought, and I think I just want a reference. Something that displays all the ways that the various housekeeping (CHMOD, LS, and so forth) commands can be used. So I am kind of ruling out tutorials and the like.

For instance, the problems I encounter are more like, "OK, I know it's possible to get a directory listing sorted by date, and one that is a list and not a column, but how do I tell the box on my desk to do that"? I'd then go to the page that ls is on and see various examples and all the ways it can be used.

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 7:51 pm
by Roody_Yogurt
The professors of my class the other year recommended 'A Practical Guide to The Unix System' by Mark G. Sobell. I've only used it a little. If you keep to the appendix section, it might do what you want.

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 7:54 pm
by Roody_Yogurt
Well, scratch that. After re-reading the thread, this book is probably way too 'teachy,' and a fair amount of it is really beginner stuff. Damn college professors!!

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 7:54 pm
by The Scent of Failure 4.00
Roody keeps me to the appendix of this bbs. :sad:

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 7:55 pm
by Scent of Failure 4.01b
He also posts so fast that my stubby, oft-banned fingers cant type up a reply quick enough to follow the message I'm replying to. :sad: :sad: :sad:

Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:22 am
by MONKEY MONKEY
YEAH I GOT A BOOK HOW ABOUT UNIX FOR FAGOITS!! HA AHAHA

Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:23 am
by Ice Cream Jonsey
C'mon, man. You know that I am happy to see you post again, but at least put some effort into it. Please?

Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 3:30 am
by bruce
It sounds like you want the man pages.

MONKEY MONKEY, on the other hand, wants "man tar".

Bruce

Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:45 am
by MONKEY MONKEY
YEAH WELL BRUEC LIKE "MAN MOUNT"

Code: Select all

WELCOME TO BRUECES UNIX COMPUTER
$ APROPOS FAGOIT
&#91;1 OF 1&#93;
BRUEC
JONESY

$ 

Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 8:10 pm
by bruce
Goddamnit!

MONKEY MONKEY, you win this round.

But I'll be back.

Bruce

Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 8:13 pm
by bruce
Also,

Image

Bruce

Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 9:53 pm
by MONKEY MONKEY
YAH THAT IS A PICTURE OF BRUEC WHEN HE STARES INTO THE DISGUSTING BROWN POOP HOLE OF HIS "SPECIAL PARTNER"

Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2003 9:41 pm
by Worm
Why the hell is your Free Servers acount Mr Monkey bruce?

I frankly wish MONKEY MONKEY would say something to me once in a while.

News Flash!

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2003 2:09 am
by bruce
I found another Special Something starring MONKEY MONKEY.

Image

Bruce

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2003 7:30 pm
by Meow
I went to that site and the monkey is Mr. Monkey ... not MONKEY MONKEY.

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2003 7:47 pm
by Standardized Test
Meow wrote:I went to that site and the monkey is Mr. Monkey ... not MONKEY MONKEY.
Bruce:BRUEC::Mr. Monkey:_______
A) Mojo Jojo
B) MONKEY MONKEY
C) Curious George
D) Charlton Heston

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2003 8:11 pm
by Worm2
They are different characters.

That is like Daffy Duck : Donald Duck :: Bugs Bunny : Roger Rabbit.

Donald is racist because daffy is black ... fundamental difference.

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2003 6:19 pm
by Ice Cream Jonsey
IS the O'Reilly "Unix in a Nutshell" book a good one?