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UNIX Power Tools
With the growing popularity of Linux and the advent of Darwin, Unix has metamorphosed into something new and exciting. No longer perceived as a difficult operating system, more and more users are discovering the advantages of Unix for the first time. But whether you are a newcomer or a Unix power user, you'll find yourself thumbing through the goldmine of information in the new edition of Unix Power Tools to add to your store of knowledge. Want to try something new? Check this book first, and you're sure to find a tip or trick that will prevent you from learning things the hard way.The latest edition of this best-selling favorite is loaded with advice about almost every aspect of Unix, covering all the new technologies that users need to know. In addition to vital information on Linux, Darwin, and BSD, Unix Power Tools 3rd Edition now offers more coverage of bash, zsh, and other new shells, along with discussions about modern utilities and applications. Several sections focus on security and Internet access. And there is a new chapter on access to Unix from Windows, addressing the heterogeneous nature of systems today. You'll also find expanded coverage of software installation and packaging, as well as basic information on Perl and Python. Unix Power Tools 3rd Edition is a browser's book...like a magazine that you don't read from start to finish, but leaf through repeatedly until you realize that you've read it all. Bursting with cross-references, interesting sidebars explore syntax or point out other directions for exploration, including relevant technical details that might not be immediately apparent. The book includes articles abstracted from other O'Reilly books, new information that highlights program tricks and gotchas, tips posted to the Net over the years, and other accumulated wisdom.Affectionately referred to by readers as "the" Unix book, UNIX Power Tools provides access to information every Unix user is going to need to know. It will help you think creatively about UNIX, and will help you get to the point where you can analyze your own problems. Your own solutions won't be far behind.
1154 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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746 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 7, 2008
My favorite of all the technical books I've written. While Jerry Peek did yeoman work on this book, and he and Mike Loukides wrote more of it than I did, it was my conception from start to finish. I was trying to construct a book that would work like the world wide web, just then brand new, and I think I succeeded. It was also really fun to write.
November 29, 2013
This one kept me company during my cancer treatment. While radioactive I had to read something disposable - not supposed to keep radioactive books - and I'd found this one being thrown out at work. It talked about all that command line stuff I know and love, but was more than a little out of date. I figured I could read the relevant bits, skip the rest, and then toss the book.
I'm actually sad to do so now.
Making one last pass through the pages I've marked to copy out the interesting stuff, then pitching it. I wonder if there's a revision that isn't 20 years old.
I'm actually sad to do so now.
Making one last pass through the pages I've marked to copy out the interesting stuff, then pitching it. I wonder if there's a revision that isn't 20 years old.
January 12, 2008
If you work with UNIX, even as a casual user or linux enthusiast, you need this book. It's not a "useful reference" it's a devotional. Read a random page every day. I'm totally serious. This book is a godsend. Note that if you use Mac OS X, you are using UNIX, and should seriously think about owning this book.
February 14, 2023
Hi, I am Robert from and I am working last 7+ years in this field. Really a really useful book when I worked in 2nd/3rd line support and had to “patch things up� from time to time.
July 29, 2017
Great reference for tips in Unix commands, writing scripts, etc. My best Unix book !
February 21, 2018
A bit outdated (e.g., telnet) but tremendously useful nevertheless.
June 13, 2016
More than you ever wanted to know about Unix, multiplied by ten. This book is absolutely stuffed from beginning to end with every sordid detail of Unix, from both a system administrator as well as a user perspective. Seriously, there is nothing this book doesn't cover in great detail. It's like 1,000 pages long. You'd have to be out of your mind to read the entire thing. It's great for reference and poking around, learning bits here and there. Everything is cross-referenced, and broken into small two- or three-page tutorials.
My favorite chapter was the one on sed. I had no idea sed was that powerful. My head was spinning the first time I read it. So I read it a second time, and I barely understood it all. What an amazingly powerful tool I had sitting on my computer all the time.
The one obvious downside of this book is its age. The latest edition is something like 10 years old now, and a lot has happened in that time. Some of the articles are irrelevant. There are lots of gotchas it points out regarding C shell, for example, before Bash sort of moved in and took over the shell space. It also talks about all the different Unix versions out there, but most of them nowadays are not very popular. Linux, FreeBSD, and Mac OS X (okay, maybe some Solaris too) are all that really matter any more.
But, damn, if you want to learn UNIX, you need this book, and you practically need nothing else.
My favorite chapter was the one on sed. I had no idea sed was that powerful. My head was spinning the first time I read it. So I read it a second time, and I barely understood it all. What an amazingly powerful tool I had sitting on my computer all the time.
The one obvious downside of this book is its age. The latest edition is something like 10 years old now, and a lot has happened in that time. Some of the articles are irrelevant. There are lots of gotchas it points out regarding C shell, for example, before Bash sort of moved in and took over the shell space. It also talks about all the different Unix versions out there, but most of them nowadays are not very popular. Linux, FreeBSD, and Mac OS X (okay, maybe some Solaris too) are all that really matter any more.
But, damn, if you want to learn UNIX, you need this book, and you practically need nothing else.
July 24, 2013
A fantastic reference and learning bible of epic proportions. I love the way that relevant material that may be mentioned within a particular article is italicized and given a reference number, so you can look it up.
E.g. you may be looking at a section about printers and a technology may be referenced, all you have to do if you want to learn more is look at the reference number and check out the page to get more in depth knowledge of said technology.
I would advise you to buy this if you are intermediate - expert in the IT field.
Perfect. 5 STARS
E.g. you may be looking at a section about printers and a technology may be referenced, all you have to do if you want to learn more is look at the reference number and check out the page to get more in depth knowledge of said technology.
I would advise you to buy this if you are intermediate - expert in the IT field.
Perfect. 5 STARS
January 24, 2008
In 1995, my first job out of school was doing UNIX system administration. The O'Reilly SA book was my main reference, but this one became my secret weapon. Learning about sed, awk, regexp, etc. showed me the path to the career i quickly realized i wanted: software development.
April 17, 2008
Must have if you're looking to use a Unix based system. Includes tutorials, tips, and cookbook style tidbits to get you through some difficult task on the Unix command line. Should be on every serious *Nixers reference shelf.
July 3, 2009
This is the book that introduced me to Unix. In the mid nineties I got an RA job at uni and my supervisor just gave me this book and told me to figure it out. Everything I know about bash/awk/sed I learned from this book.
April 10, 2007
Useful bag of tricks.
April 2, 2008
By far the best idea/example book for UNIX scripting. Can be hard to find, but well worth the purchase.
May 22, 2009
a great collection of examples... YMMV with specific flavors... not all of the examples work in all the flavors...
June 15, 2010
Great reference and learning tool.
December 26, 2010
Great cookbook unix book. Great index helps readers find helpful examples.
IMO the best computer reference book I've seen.
IMO the best computer reference book I've seen.
February 6, 2011
Great book with console tips. Must read!
October 13, 2011
A fantastic collection of useful tips, tricks and techniques for users of any flavour of *nix
April 13, 2015
Used this guide as help desk back 1990's. still find it useful at times.
That's no google.
-TAJ
That's no google.
-TAJ
June 28, 2013
Great reference book for command line and batch scripting hacking.
November 2, 2013
Fantastic reference; tons of info on Unix tools
August 26, 2013
The Old Testament of Unix administration. This is what lands on the desk of anyone asking me for help with their command line fu.
March 9, 2016
This is not something you can read from cover to cover, but rather use as a reference. A very complete reference.
November 27, 2016
Lots of stuff. I skimmed this, really, just so I'd know what was in there. Lots of good sections for me to read when I need it!
January 3, 2017
Little outdated but still a great reference.
April 24, 2025
Really really useful book when I worked in 2nd/3rd line support and had to “patch things up� from time to time.
October 23, 2007
Very useful
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
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