Unix in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition

Unix in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition
by Arnold Robbins

Unix in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition
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Book Summary Information

Author: Arnold Robbins
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-11-02
ISBN: 0596100299
Number of pages: 912
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Product features:
  • ISBN13: 9780596100292
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Book Reviews of Unix in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition

Book Review: DE FACTO UNIX
Summary: 5 Stars

Are you a Unix user, programmer or system administrator? If you are, then this book is for you! Author Arnold Robbins, has written an outstanding 4th edition of a book that presents the broader state of Unix in today's world.

Robbins, begins by covering Solaris 10, the latest version of the SVR4 operating system from Sun Microsystems, "GNU/Linux, and Mac OS X. Then, he revises and reorganizes the Unix Commands in order to cover the three systems. The author continues by covering Bash, ksh93, and tcsh. In addition, he covers the popular Bash shell, along with the 1988 and 1993 versions of ksh. The author also examines the widely-used tcsh shell instead of the original Berkeley. Then, the author looks at the package management programs, which are used for the program installation on popular GNU/Linux systems.
Next, he discusses GNU Emacs Version 21. Then, the author covers the vi and ex text editors. The author continues by covering GNU sed. In addition, he covers the awk programming language. The author also provides an introduction to source code management systems. Then, he looks at CVS. Next, the author discusses the Subversion version control system. Then, he focuses on GNU Make. The author continues by covering GDB debugger. Finally, he describes how to write a manual page.

In particular, it's important to cover in this most excellent book, both commercial variants, and those where source code for the system and the utilities are freely available. Furthermore, the commands covered by the current POSIX standard form the core of author's presentation here.

Summary of Unix in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition

As an open operating system, Unix can be improved on by anyone and everyone: individuals, companies, universities, and more. As a result, the very nature of Unix has been altered over the years by numerous extensions formulated in an assortment of versions. Today, Unix encompasses everything from Sun's Solaris to Apple's Mac OS X and more varieties of Linux than you can easily name.

The latest edition of this bestselling reference brings Unix into the 21st century. It's been reworked to keep current with the broader state of Unix in today's world and highlight the strengths of this operating system in all its various flavors.

Detailing all Unix commands and options, the informative guide provides generous descriptions and examples that put those commands in context. Here are some of the new features you'll find in Unix in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition:

  • Solaris 10, the latest version of the SVR4-based operating system, GNU/Linux, and Mac OS X
  • Bash shell (along with the 1988 and 1993 versions of ksh)
  • tsch shell (instead of the original Berkeley csh)
  • Package management programs, used for program installation on popular GNU/Linux systems, Solaris and Mac OS X
  • GNU Emacs Version 21
  • Introduction to source code management systems
  • Concurrent versions system
  • Subversion version control system
  • GDB debugger

As Unix has progressed, certain commands that were once critical have fallen into disuse. To that end, the book has also dropped material that is no longer relevant, keeping it taut and current.

If you're a Unix user or programmer, you'll recognize the value of this complete, up-to-date Unix reference. With chapter overviews, specific examples, and detailed command.


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

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