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The Linux Programming Interface

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83 pointsfogus19 comments

My short review of this book: http://www.amazon.com/review/R5XJW6NQUUKSR/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm...

Thanks for the review! I ordered it yesterday after reading your review. It arrives today.

1550 pages and 60 bucks.

Wow. Must be some kind of book.

I've been reading as much as I can about Linux over the last month, but I'm not sure I have the sixty bucks or the time to go through that much material. Sounds like a great reference book, though. I'm putting it on my list. Sounds like something I could use.

Is it just me, or over the last ten years or so computer books have become these huge everything-but-the-kitchen-sink monsters? I was reading a book last week -- it wasn't so good -- when I realized the author had just taken the API spec, made an outline, and then fluffed up the content with lots of sample code, tables, and lists. Made for a great encyclopedia, but not much in thee way of I'll-hold-your-hand-while-you-learn-this.

While it seems like programming books are sold by weight, these days, it makes a certain amount of sense for a book like this (or Steven's _Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment_) - it's a detailed reference for Unix's rather large API. It'd probably be better in multiple volumes, though.

There are some good, short programming books. (Many of them were co-written by Brian Kernighan.)

It looks great. I'm dying for an ebook. Technical books stack up so quickly.

If a DRM free ePub is sold, I'll take out my credit card immediately.

Not a big fan of dead tree format, I don't like books that don't fit in my pocket.

As a reference book, I would much rather have a physical copy than have to piss around with the electronic version. An ebook might be nice as a backup for travel, but I would mostly be referencing this in my office anyway.

Even as a reference book, I find the ability to read it on my cellphone useful. I've can either waste my 10 minute light rail ride browsing pics.reddit.copm or I can learn the existence of a few system calls that might be useful someday.

The ability to search is also nice.

I can use search with an ebook which makes me prefer ebooks for reference books. I can also copy and paste from it if it's on my computer.

This led me to the already mentioned APUE book, written by Stevens. I was saddened by his loss at a yound age of 48. http://www.salon.com/technology/feature/2000/09/01/rich_stev...

That article led me to this:

http://www.salon.com/technology/feature/1999/11/30/lions/ind... which is another fantastic read.

You can read about Lions' efforts here: Lions' Commentary on UNIX 6th Edition, with Source Code http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_Commentary_on_UNIX_6th_Ed...

http://tinyurl.com/2k9rwr (If the link above doesn't work)

The commentary is available as a PDF file here: http://www.lemis.com/grog/Documentation/Lions/book.pdf

The sample chapters look great, and given the creator I'm sure the book is amazing. Unfortunately, I don't have $60 to spend right now on it. I'm saving the link though for when I do.

We have a copy at the office. It's fantastic at first glance - beautifully produced, well laid out, clearly written and sensibly organised.

How does this compare to _Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment, 2nd ed._ by Stevens? (Aside from being specific to Linux)

This review compares the two:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1886YLT8PR55U

The dearth of exercises disappoints me, so I'll probably read APUE also.

Saw that (but thanks), wondering if anybody here has both and could expand on it. I have and love APUE, especially since it isn't Linux-specific. To what extent would TLPI be relevant for (say) BSD?

I read on some blog that soon the ebook version will be out. Also it stated that No Starch would be giving the ebook away with purchase of the book.

I know this is exactly the type of book I've been looking for over the last few months. As soon as the book+ebook version is up you have my money.

I've been following this book for many months. Quite expensive. I wonder if/when it will be available on Safari.

I think $60 is quite reasonable for a book of this scope and size - certainly if it lives up to the reviews I read, particularly jgrahamc's. I'm surprised it's not closer to $100 - the market for this book is small and it's quite large, even for a technical book.

It really is 99$. Now I've noticed that Amazon is giving a significant discount.

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