A Practical Guide to Linux

Linus Torvalds

Father of Linux

"Finally, a Linux 'tome' I will recommend to friends. Mark knows Linux well, and presents it clearly. In a book primarily and successfully aimed at new users, he has succeeded in teaching me more about my favorite environment — and I'm paid to be an expert."

Michael K. Johnson

Software Developer, Red Hat Software

(Former Editor, Linux Journal)

This new book by best-selling UNIX author Mark Sobell combines the strengths of a tutorial and those of a reference to give you the knowledge and skills to master Linux. Uniquely designed for both beginners and experienced users, A Practical Guide to Linux requires no prior programming experience. It begins with an extensive tutorial to bring those with less experience up to speed, and then quickly progresses to detailed chapters on GUIs, networking, the vi and emacs editors, three popular shells, programming tools, and system administration. Part two is a comprehensive reference containing descriptions and examples of 87 utilities. The book includes several complete example sessions on downloading and installing Linux-based utilities and other software from the Internet.

A Practical Guide to Linux contains:

• clear, easy-to-read descriptions of 87 utilities with practical examples;
• detailed coverage of Linux programming tools and concepts, including using the C compiler, make, and source code control systems (rcs and cvs);
• in-depth discussion of system administration procedures such as backing up the system, monitoring growing files, rebuilding Linux, installing new software and updates, and preventing and fixing problems;
• thorough shell coverage with chapters on the Bourne Again Shell (bash), the TC Shell (tcsh), and the Z Shell (zsh);
• examples showing interactive use of the shells as well as shell programming;
• information on using and customizing the X Window System, including sections on the Mosaic and fvwm window managers; and
• a comprehensive glossary as well as appendixes covering regular expressions, POSIX standards, and a special Linux help section written as a FAQ.

The text is compatible with all Linux distributions, and a companion Web site is maintained by the author to provide assistance in locating on-line Linux documentation, software, news groups, and more (http://www.sobell.com).

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Mark G. Sobell is president of Sobell Associates Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in UNIX/Linux training, support, and custom software development. He is the author of many best-selling UNIX and Linux books and has more than twenty-five years of experience working with UNIX and Linux.

II. THE LINUX PROGRAMS.