Linux in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference 6th Edition

While MAN and APROPOS on a console terminal are easier to use, a book like this lets you write notes in the margins, add post-it notes, sticky tabs, and more important, rapidly compare commands. I bought it to update my worn, dog eared third edition from 2000.

This is the Linux equivalent of the Webster's Dictionary for the English Language.Yes, there are the man pages. Yes, there is Google. And yes, I use both of those resources, too. BUT, I love the feel of holding a book. I write notes in it. I highlight in it. I take it for "light reading" on the train back and forth from home to work. No need to worry about batteries, either. It stands up to minor coffee spills, too.It's great for when you know the command but want to make sure you are using the right parameter(s), or when working with Bash Shell intricacies. Many good, simple examples. I strongly recommend this for anyone's professional "tool box".There are several other great Linux books that I have. But when anyone asks, "Which book should I buy first?", this is the one that I strongly suggest.

Always a great reference to have on your desktop if you're a Linux/Unix user. I would've thought some material would've changed over the years, but the commands are always the same, as are the options and tricks. I would recommend.

I have been asked quite a few times to recommend a book for the novice to learn Linux. This book is it. Effectively half the book is devoted to every command that typically comes standard on distributions. If you just look through those, say one or two commands a day and read the options you'll start to see what kind of capabilities Linux affords you.Anyone looking to understand the basics will need to know package management and this gives you yum and apt-get and rpm and dpkg so you get perspective on both the Redhat and the Debian package management methods.The bash shell, pattern matching vim (my favorite) and emacs basics to get you started. This book almost 1,000 pages and none of it wasted with useless info. Browse a couple commands a day and read the rest of the book cover to cover. You'll be rock'n Linux like a pro!

Most users stick with the gui front end programs but if you need to tweak something, modify permissions or anything via the terminal - this IS the book you need.

Taught me everything I know about sed, bash scripting, and git. If you can dig up my git hub, you'll see. Although that information is presented as a possibly dense reference- not for the faint of heart. Of course, it's still good for the command reference, even if you aren't up to attacking the awesome sections in the back. It also has some good stuff on vi/vim. I can't remember off hand if it covers tabs, but it does marks and I'm almost positive macros. It also covers this other editor called emacs- but who uses that 😉. Well, besides for Linus Torvalds and Richard Stallmen.

Very pleased with book. Looks brand new.

"Linux in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference" (6th Edition) must be close to the most complete Linux reference book on the planet. My copy is in trade-paperback (9in x 6in) size and it is just under 2-inches thick, with the Index ending on page 917. Keep in mind that this book is NOT for learning programming, and it is probably not for beginners, but for what it claims to be, it can't be beat. It hold an important position on my shelf.