Finding Linux Documentation

Nothing a newbie can do without documentation. In this tutorial we will list the available documentation that will help you to make your first steps with Linux. Learn about The Linux Documentation Project, the various Linux guides it offers, and its now famous HOWTOs. But do not forget to check first the documentation available on your own Linux system.

The Linux Documentation Project

The Linux Documentation Project (LDP) is working on developing good, reliable documentation for the Linux operating system. The overall goal of the Linux Documentation Project is to collaborate in taking care of all of the issues of Linux documentation, ranging from online documentation (man pages, HTML, and so on) to printed manuals covering topics such as installing, using, and running Linux.
The Linux Documentation Project

The Linux Documentation Project Linux Guides

Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide
This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter. For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. We hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.
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Linux on the Road
Though there are laptop, notebook, PDA and mobile phone related HOWTOs available already, this guide contains a concise survey of documents related to mobile computer devices. Also Linux features, such as installation methods for laptops, notebooks and PDAs as well as configurations for different (network) environments are described. Although there are some caveats, Linux is a better choice for mobile computer devices than most other operating systems. Because it supports numerous installation methods, works in many heterogeneous environments and needs smaller resources.
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The Linux Users' Guide
This book covers all of the user-end aspects of Linux, from sitting down at the first login session to using complex tools such as gcc, emacs, and so on. It assumes no previous Unix experience, so not only will it serve as an introduction to Linux, but to Unix in general as well. This manual won't cover system administrator tasks (i.e. anything that needs to be done as root) - it's for the J. Random User who has a working Linux system sitting in front of them.
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The Linux Documentation Project HOWTOs

The Linux HOWTOs and mini-HOWTOs are detailed "how to" documents on specific subjects. The HOWTO INDEX lists all HOWTOs and mini-HOWTOs along with short descriptions.

The Linux Documentation Project FAQs

Various FAQs can be found in here including the Linux Frequently Asked Questions with Answers

Linux Systems Documentation Resources

People tend to forget that the best place to look for documentation is the Linux system. On an installed Linux system, whatever distribution you use, most of the available documentation is located in the /usr/doc or /usr/share/doc directory and its various sub-directories :

• LDP - where are located most of the Linux Documentation Project guides.
• HOWTO - where are located most of the Linux Documentation Project howto.
• FAQ - where are located various FAQ, and particullary the Linux FAQ.

You will also find a lot of other sub-directories which contain documentation referring to special applications. For example, if you have installed a program called hello_world which version is 1.0.0, chances are that you find all hello_world documentation located in the /usr/doc/hello_world-1.0.0 directory.

The man pages

Man pages ( e.g. Manual Pages ) are text document formatted in a special way that make them both easily readable and easily printable. On a Linux System there is a man page for everything. Pratically all applications, all shell commands, all language instructions have their own related man page.
To display a particular man page just type at the prompt :

    $ man page_name

So, if you want to learn how to use the hello_world application just type :

    $ man hello_world

If you are a C programmer, and have forgotten the exact syntax of the printf function, or what headers it requires to be included, then do:

    $ man printf

Want help? Just ask!

Most of Linux application will display a brief summary of helpful information when launched with the --help argument.

    $ hello_world --help