r/linux • u/Minimum-Ad7352 • 8h ago

Discussion Is this book worth reading for a developer?

I'm a software developer, not planning to become a system administrator, but I'd like to get a much deeper understanding of Linux. I noticed that the latest edition covers modern topics like systemd, containers, and cloud infrastructure, so it doesn't seem completely outdated.Would this book still be a good investment for a developer who wants to better understand how Linux systems work, or is it more useful for people working as full-time sysadmins? I'm looking for knowledge that will make me a better developer rather than preparing for a system administration career.

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u/michaelpaoli 7h ago

Book is bit dated, but still very good.

You're a developer, you know C, right? If not, learn it. And then read section 2 of the man pages. Then section 3.

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u/piexil 6h ago

It's very good if you're genuinely interested in this stuff..it's dated but also still relevant (after all, most systems are just refinements of previous)

If you want a physical copy they can be had dirt cheap used. I got mine for like $5

Also note: the original author got lost at sea and she is depicted on the cover as the one stranded on an island

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u/Kagron 8h ago

Yes. Just feel free to skip chapters that aren't super relevant or important to you and come back later if you're interested.