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In a Nutshell
Linux in a Nutshell
Linux in a Nutshell covers the core commands available on common Linux distributions. This isn't a scaled-down quick reference of common commands, but a complete reference containing all user, programming, administration, and networking commands.
This book also documents a wide range of GNU tools for UNIX users who have GNU versions of standard UNIX tools. You'll find all the essential commands you need to run your system, as well as all the commands that historically have been included on UNIX systems.
New material in the second edition includes the popular LILO and Loadlin programs used for dual-booting, a Perl quick-reference, and RCS/CVS source control commands. Linux in a Nutshell is a must for any Linux user; it weighs less than a stack of manual pages, but gives you everything you need for common, day-to-day use.
This book also documents a wide range of GNU tools for UNIX users who have GNU versions of standard UNIX tools. You'll find all the essential commands you need to run your system, as well as all the commands that historically have been included on UNIX systems.
New material in the second edition includes the popular LILO and Loadlin programs used for dual-booting, a Perl quick-reference, and RCS/CVS source control commands. Linux in a Nutshell is a must for any Linux user; it weighs less than a stack of manual pages, but gives you everything you need for common, day-to-day use.
628 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 13, 2013
As a network admin. I find this book very useful as a reference. With so many linux commands and options, no one can memorize all of them.
It's fairly easy to find what I'm looking for in it. It would probably be faster if I had a digital version so I could use the find function. But with a paperback copy, it's easier to bonk myself in the head after I bork something up. :)
October 3, 2024
2009 edition broadly still relevant in 2024, with some funny cases like cdparanoia and of course systemd. Most of the book is organised as a list of manpages (mostly valid for GNU distros), which is relatively handy if you don't know exactly what to look for but you know how to look for it and you don't want to scan the entire manual.
Various sections provide neat introductions to rather complex architectural topics, which seem suitable also for a beginner. I'm not sure the introduction to the console and to bash scripting would work well for someone at their first steps, but it's worth trying.
Various sections provide neat introductions to rather complex architectural topics, which seem suitable also for a beginner. I'm not sure the introduction to the console and to bash scripting would work well for someone at their first steps, but it's worth trying.
August 10, 2026
A very densely packed reference to most commonly used commands and tools in Linux. The book is obviously dated, but most materials remain highly relevant. It also contains brief explanations to each of the topic which are perfect serving as a quick intro to beginners and refresher to experience users alike.
If I were to rate this book 10 years ago, this would be a 4-stars. But with the ongoing onslaught on the public information available online by slops created by LLMs, having a trusted source material on Linux is increasing more important day by day -- after all, Linux is an OS which allows you to destroy your system with a single command.
If I were to rate this book 10 years ago, this would be a 4-stars. But with the ongoing onslaught on the public information available online by slops created by LLMs, having a trusted source material on Linux is increasing more important day by day -- after all, Linux is an OS which allows you to destroy your system with a single command.
August 11, 2017
A good reference book, especially for looking up parameters for commands. However, it is eight years old, and while a lot of basic programs haven't changed, many have so the book is outdated. Most of what's covered here can be found in the help sections for specific commands as well as a variety of online resources.
February 28, 2018
What can I say? Clearly in the honored tradition of the O'Reilley's other Nutshell books. All of which have a permanent place on my CS reference shelf. Siever simply covers what is needed by a BS 4.2 guy that needed a serious retooling.
May 21, 2010
.....review is on 6th edition of this book.....
Although I'm not an advanced user, I do work with Linux everyday. In spite of that repetition and daily reinforcement, this is the one book I reference most often.
Frankly, it's just not possible for me to remember all of the Linux commands. This is a user's guide that is more than useful; it's clearly written and all of the commands are covered in alphabetical order. I prefer having a handy reference volume versus sifting through Google search results. If you already have a basic understanding of using Linux and want a good book for looking up how specific commands work, then this is your reference manual. It's useful for beginner, intermediate, and the experienced user AND there's a comprehensive index of both topics and commands and it's easy to find what you're looking for. Should you need more, you will have to refer to man pages!
I found the chapter on virtualization a little light but that's probably best, given it's complexity and depth. The chapters on Shells, Boot Methods and networking are great and offer enough detail to get most folks off and running. The chapter on the various editors is well done and contains excellent detail; certainly enough to get you going with any of them. Package management was also presented well and helped me understand a good bit more about yum, after having used aptitude for years. I don't do much with sed, gawk or version control but the chapters on those technologies were understandable and will prove useful in the future.
Overall, I find this book extremely valuable and it is one of those that I keep handy at all times. It is, in my opinion, THE essential Linux reference book.
Although I'm not an advanced user, I do work with Linux everyday. In spite of that repetition and daily reinforcement, this is the one book I reference most often.
Frankly, it's just not possible for me to remember all of the Linux commands. This is a user's guide that is more than useful; it's clearly written and all of the commands are covered in alphabetical order. I prefer having a handy reference volume versus sifting through Google search results. If you already have a basic understanding of using Linux and want a good book for looking up how specific commands work, then this is your reference manual. It's useful for beginner, intermediate, and the experienced user AND there's a comprehensive index of both topics and commands and it's easy to find what you're looking for. Should you need more, you will have to refer to man pages!
I found the chapter on virtualization a little light but that's probably best, given it's complexity and depth. The chapters on Shells, Boot Methods and networking are great and offer enough detail to get most folks off and running. The chapter on the various editors is well done and contains excellent detail; certainly enough to get you going with any of them. Package management was also presented well and helped me understand a good bit more about yum, after having used aptitude for years. I don't do much with sed, gawk or version control but the chapters on those technologies were understandable and will prove useful in the future.
Overall, I find this book extremely valuable and it is one of those that I keep handy at all times. It is, in my opinion, THE essential Linux reference book.
October 6, 2012
A great learning and reference book for Linux systems. This book goes into great detail on techniques for pattern matching and line by line processing with psuedo-programming languages like sed and gawk, and also covers some of the editing systems useful on both fully powered development environments and minimal command prompt only systems.
January 6, 2011
Like all O'Reilly Nutshell books, this is clear, readable, and human. The subject field, "Linux," however seems to be too big to fit "in a nutshell," and the treatment comes up a little shallow. Enough coverage for a tutorial, I guess, but in the Nutshell style level that promises more.
August 26, 2007
Good for a basic command reference, but if you're looking for an in-depth, action-packed command list, this is not the book to get.
September 7, 2009
Excellent reference to Linux
September 17, 2015
this a perfect book
June 26, 2016
Half of book contains Unix commands and available options for each of them, which is redundant.
August 11, 2011
One of the better core Linux references
July 13, 2012
Not for the uninitiated Linux user, but a very good reference for those who enjoy using the CLI.
March 19, 2019
There are a lot of online references about linux commands but I want to get something like a reference book. The book contains a great reference of commands from linux terminal, rebooting, git and gitbash and many more. I grab this book because I want to advance my knowledge in linux. Though its outdated it gave me a lot of useful informationa.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews