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3.33. What's a good book to help learn more about UNIX?

Dozens of fine UNIX books abound. Be sure that the book you pick out is tuned to the version of UNIX you use (for instance, System V, Solaris, or BSD.) If you're not sure which book to read, start with one of these:

* Teach Yourself UNIX in a Week by Dave Taylor. Published by Sams Publishing, ISBN 0-672-30464-3. This book, written by the technical editor of the book you're reading now, is a grassroots, seven-day guide to learning UNIX. This is a great hands-on, learn-by doing book. It covers dozens of facets of UNIX, from file handling and text editing to job control and UNIX's Internet tools. If you're willing and able to digest nearly 90 pages a day, you really can teach yourself UNIX in a week.

* Learning the UNIX Operating System, 3rd edition, by Grace Todino, et al. Published by O'Reilly & Associates, ISBN 1-56592-060-0. An introduction to UNIX, including information on electronic mail, networking, and X-Windows. Geared toward users who need to better understand UNIX to make the most of the Internet.

* UNIX for Dummies by John Levine and Margaret Levine Young. Published by IDG, ISBN: 0-878058-58-4. An informal and nontechnical introduction to UNIX.

* Exploring the UNIX system, Third Edition, by Stephen Kochan and Patrick Wood. Published by Hayden Books. ISBN: 0-672-48447-1. A basic overview of UNIX structure and commands from the ground up. (This was my first UNIX book.)

* A Student's Guide to UNIX by Harley Hahn. Published by McGraw Hill. ISBN: 0-07-025511-3. A superb introduction to UNIX. In a clear and lively language, the author tells novice users everything they need to know about UNIX and the Internet. The book covers commands, utilities, shells, vi, X-Windows, e-mail, and other topics.

* UNIX in a Nutshell by Daniel Gilly. Published by O'Reilly & Associates. ISBN: 1-56592-001-5. A complete reference guide containing all UNIX commands and options, along with lots of examples and descriptions of the commands. Versions for System V releases 3 and 4 and Solaris 2.0, SCO UNIX, and BSD systems are available.

Note: For a more complete list of books covering all levels of UNIX, read the UNIX Books FAQ, listing selections of the best books and documentation on UNIX and related subjects (such as UNIX editors and shells). This list is obtainable via anonymous ftp from rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/news.answers/books/unix You can also get it by e-mail. To: mail-server@rftm.mit.edu
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