Mark Sobell has set out to create a definitive learning manual for shell usage on Linux. Covering exactly what the title would suggest, this "Practical Guide" is a referance for CLI (command line interface) usage from Vim and Emacs to scripting and the basics of C programming. Let's take a look at what's covered.

 

             When working with a thousand plus pages of reference material my most immediate concern is indexing. Locating the appropriate information using the table of contents and index is relatively straight forward. Each section is laid out in a progressive fashion starting with the basics of shell usage and Linux "usage philosophy" through command line commands, file system layout, shell usage, CLI editors, and then programming. Each chapter follows a logical progression for learning the Linux shell. Starting off the book is an explanation of what the shell is used for and why things are done the way they are including basic commands, file system usage, and shell built-ins. Part II contains an in-depth view of the Vim and Emac editors including exhaustive usage instructions. Part III covers the Bash and TC shells and Parth IV goes through various types of programming focusing on bash scripting and awk/sed use.

 

              Located in the back of the book is a listing of shell built-ins and common commands with a much more in-depth discussion of usage than a man page would provide. “SSH” in this section, for instance, covers common usage then goes on to show an example of copying a file and compressing it on the fly to a remote computer. This type of depth is common throughout the guide making good use of it's length. Extensive cross referencing is also a mark in this book's favor. Examples that make use of commands explained elsewhere include a reference to where the more detailed explanation is located. Examples themselves are also filled with useful suggestions in the forms of tips and cautionary notes suggesting easier paths and "gotchas" to watch out for.

 

              What Mark Sobell has created is an excellent general purpose guide to the Linux shell. It retains it's tight focus while offering ample explanation of shell work and how to optimize tasks. As a dual purpose reference manual and learning guide, "A Practical Guide to Linux Commands, Editors, and Shell Programming" succeeds admirably. Beginners in need of a learning guide or advanced users in search of a comprehensive reference manual couldn't do much better.

 

Издательство: Prentis Hall PTR, 2005 г.

Автор: Mark G. Sobell

Формат: CHM