Beginning Linux Programming starts with a look at shared libraries(the equivalent of DLLs in Windows), an overview of the Linux programming options and then moves on to a hands-on example of an audio CD database. Throughout, Beginning Linux Programming is determinedly hands- on. After a stroll through the basics of shell programming, the first version of the CD database is written entirely using a Bash shell script; then rewritten in C, yet again to make use of the ncurses text handling library, and finally to use the dbm database. Threads and a client/server version of the program are also covered. The book then moves on to Tcl/Tk for window management and writing a graphical Gnome app using GTK+. HTML, CGI and Perl get an airing after which the reader is considered knowledgeable enough to tackle device drivers and the kernel. Whether you just want to knock out a few scripts or make major contributions to Gnu/Linux Beginning Linuxis, in this reviewer's opinion, indispensable. --Steve Patient