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Chapter 1: Introduction
Unless stated otherwise, the Fermilab documents that we reference throughout this manual can be found on the World Wide Web (a.k.a. WWW or the Web), an on-line information resource to which we provide an introduction in section 3.2.1. A limited selection of documents is also available in printed form on the shelves outside the former Computing Division library, Wilson Hall, 8th floor, NE corner.
As a general rule throughout this manual, we do not provide the URL[5] for each referenced Fermilab document due to the volatility of the addresses, we only state the title and document number. You can find the documents in the Computing Division document database as described below, where they are maintained.
In addition, lots of information has been gathered under the UNIX Resources Web page, organized by topic. This page is linked under the heading Documentation & Software on the Computing Division home page.
The principal URLs you may need to reference while navigating the Computing Division Web pages are listed in section 1.6.2.
The database contains both UNIX-related and non-UNIX documents. Most of the documents are available for viewing and/or printing in either HTML (see section 3.2.1) or PostScript format. A keyword search facility is provided, which currently allows a one-word entry.
Starting from the Fermilab at Work Web page, you can reach the Computing Division document database by selecting in turn:
From the document database, under the heading Computing Division Documents, you can find documents in the categories of General Documentation (document numbers starting with GG), General UNIX (GU), Division Recommendations (DR) and some other designations.
Also from the document database, under the heading Product and Application Information, you can find documentation for many Fermilab software products. The document numbers correspond to the product numbers, and start with PM (Physics and Math Programs), PU (Utility Programs), and other designations.
Alternatively, you can find UNIX product documentation from a variety of sources directly by product name. Starting at the Computing Division home page, first select UNIX Applications under Documentation & Software, then select product documentation under the heading Additional Resources and Documentation for UAS Products to reach the Fermilab Product Documentation Area.
There are several good books on UNIX. The vendors also have UNIX documentation, for example the Silicon Graphics IRIS-4D User's Guide and Sun's beginner's guides. Printed reference documentation for the commands is typically just hard copy of the UNIX on-line help, known as man pages, described in section 3.1. Some popular books are:
The O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. publishers provide specialized texts on many UNIX applications in addition to their general UNIX texts. These are generally regarded as excellent references.
From the UNIX Resources Web page, see Recommended books under The UNIX Operating System for information on what's available in the stockroom. These books can be found in many bookstores, too.