Fans pick 16 books like sed & awk

By Dale Dougherty,

Here are 16 books that sed & awk fans have personally recommended if you like sed & awk. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Book cover of Mastering Regular Expressions

Ian Miell Author Of Learn Bash the Hard Way: Master Bash Using The Only Method That Works

From my list on becoming a Linux command line ninja.

Why am I passionate about this?

Like most geeks, I've always loved efficiency and productivity. Coming from a Windows-dominated world, the command line I was faced with in my CompSci degree was Initially mystifying, but over time I have come to see it as the most powerful human-computer interface out there. After spending years wresting with the command line at work, I decided to write a book on bash, and have blogged extensively on this and related topics. I also run live courses on bash and the command line for O'Reilly. There's nothing I enjoy more than opening people's eyes to the power of the shell!   

Ian's book list on becoming a Linux command line ninja

Ian Miell Why did Ian love this book?

Regular expressions are the cornerstone of command line wizardry.

They are used in pretty much all command-line tools, and all programming languages.

If you read this book, you'll have a deep understanding of what's going on, and the knowledge to go from hand-waving and guessing your way through regular expression writing to the mastery the book promises.

By Jeffrey E F Friedl,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Mastering Regular Expressions as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Regular expressions are an extremely powerful tool for manipulating text and data. They are now standard features in a wide range of languages and popular tools, including Perl, Python, Ruby, Java, VB.NET and C# (and any language using the .NET Framework), PHP, and MySQL. If you don't use regular expressions yet, you will discover in this book a whole new world of mastery over your data. If you already use them, you'll appreciate this book's unprecedented detail and breadth of coverage. If you think you know all you need to know about regular expressions, this book is a stunning eye-opener.…


Book cover of grep Pocket Reference

Ian Miell Author Of Learn Bash the Hard Way: Master Bash Using The Only Method That Works

From my list on becoming a Linux command line ninja.

Why am I passionate about this?

Like most geeks, I've always loved efficiency and productivity. Coming from a Windows-dominated world, the command line I was faced with in my CompSci degree was Initially mystifying, but over time I have come to see it as the most powerful human-computer interface out there. After spending years wresting with the command line at work, I decided to write a book on bash, and have blogged extensively on this and related topics. I also run live courses on bash and the command line for O'Reilly. There's nothing I enjoy more than opening people's eyes to the power of the shell!   

Ian's book list on becoming a Linux command line ninja

Ian Miell Why did Ian love this book?

grep is probably the most-used command line tool.

For a few years, I had a copy of this book on my desk, and would flick through it in spare moments, gradually absorbing all the minutiae of grep's options in the hope they would be useful to me one day.

You can get some idea of the book's utility from the fact that I had to regularly buy a new copy because someone would 'borrow' it and not give it back.

By John Bambenek, Agnieszka Klus,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked grep Pocket Reference as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Grep Pocket Reference" is the first guide devoted to grep, the powerful utility program that helps you locate content in any file on a Unix or Linux system. Several applications use grep, from mail filtering and system log management to malware analysis and application development, and there are many other ways to use the utility. This pocket reference is ideal for system administrators, security professionals, developers, and others who want to learn more about grep and take new approaches with it.With "Grep Pocket Reference", you will: learn methods for filtering large files for specific content; acquire information not included in…


Book cover of Practical Vim

Ian Miell Author Of Learn Bash the Hard Way: Master Bash Using The Only Method That Works

From my list on becoming a Linux command line ninja.

Why am I passionate about this?

Like most geeks, I've always loved efficiency and productivity. Coming from a Windows-dominated world, the command line I was faced with in my CompSci degree was Initially mystifying, but over time I have come to see it as the most powerful human-computer interface out there. After spending years wresting with the command line at work, I decided to write a book on bash, and have blogged extensively on this and related topics. I also run live courses on bash and the command line for O'Reilly. There's nothing I enjoy more than opening people's eyes to the power of the shell!   

Ian's book list on becoming a Linux command line ninja

Ian Miell Why did Ian love this book?

In 2001, when I was young and everything was possible I asked my CTO what Interactive Development Environment (IDE) I should use.

'vim' was the response, so I went away and learned it. To this day, I use vim by default for almost all my programming needs. The learning curve is very steep, but the rewards are great, not least because it's hard to find a platform that cannot run it.

This book reinforces the learning you can do elsewhere through walkthroughs and tips and lets you know what's possible, so that when you really need to do things like search and replace, or run a macro, you can look it up again and get it under your fingers.

By Drew Neil,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Practical Vim as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Vim is a fast and efficient text editor that will make you a faster and more efficient developer. It's available on almost every OS, and if you master the techniques in this book, you'll never need another text editor. In more than 120 Vim tips, you'll quickly learn the editor's core functionality and tackle your trickiest editing and writing tasks. This beloved bestseller has been revised and updated to Vim 7.4 and includes two brand-new tips and five fully revised tips.A highly configurable, cross-platform text editor, Vim is a serious tool for programmers, web developers, and sysadmins who want to…


Book cover of Unix Power Tools

Ian Miell Author Of Learn Bash the Hard Way: Master Bash Using The Only Method That Works

From my list on becoming a Linux command line ninja.

Why am I passionate about this?

Like most geeks, I've always loved efficiency and productivity. Coming from a Windows-dominated world, the command line I was faced with in my CompSci degree was Initially mystifying, but over time I have come to see it as the most powerful human-computer interface out there. After spending years wresting with the command line at work, I decided to write a book on bash, and have blogged extensively on this and related topics. I also run live courses on bash and the command line for O'Reilly. There's nothing I enjoy more than opening people's eyes to the power of the shell!   

Ian's book list on becoming a Linux command line ninja

Ian Miell Why did Ian love this book?

I've saved the best to last.

Once I'd covered the command line basics, then I bought this book and kept it by my bed for a couple of years, imbibing its contents over and over.

It contains so many examples of how the command line can be used in real-world situations, as well as more practical advice and timeless tips. It feels like you've got four experts at your shoulder helping you get better.

It's so good I'm going to start re-reading it as soon as I've finished writing this.

By Shelly Powers, Jerry Peek, Tim O'Reilly , Mike Loukides

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Unix Power Tools as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

With the growing popularity of Linux and the advent of Darwin, Unix has metamorphosed into something new and exciting. No longer perceived as a difficult operating system, more and more users are discovering the advantages of Unix for the first time. But whether you are a newcomer or a Unix power user, you'll find yourself thumbing through the goldmine of information in the new edition of Unix Power Tools to add to your store of knowledge. Want to try something new? Check this book first, and you're sure to find a tip or trick that will prevent you from learning…


Book cover of Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment

Arnold Robbins Author Of Linux Programming by Example

From my list on for learning the Zen of Unix.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a professional software developer and technical author, with a number of books published by O’Reilly and Prentice Hall. I have been working in the C / C++ / Unix / Linux world for over four decades. I am also the maintainer of the Free Software Foundation’s GNU Awk interpreter for the awk programming language. I have a passion for writing clear, correct, efficient, and portable code, and for applying the UNIX and Software Tools principles in my development. I hope that this book list will help you climb the learning curve of doing great Unix / Linux development.

Arnold's book list on for learning the Zen of Unix

Arnold Robbins Why did Arnold love this book?

Modern Unix systems (including Linux) offer a wealth of APIs. This book provides detailed instruction, including sample code, on how to make the best use of them. It is a one-stop-shop for mastering the details of Unix programming in C.

I recommend the book because it is thorough, authoritative, and clearly written. Richard Stevens was a well-known author and consultant and his books are models of clear exposition. Steven Rago is an experienced Unix developer and author as well.

By W. Richard Stevens, Stephen Rago,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

For more than twenty years, serious C programmers have relied on one book for practical, in-depth knowledge of the programming interfaces that drive the UNIX and Linux kernels: W. Richard Stevens' Advanced Programming in the UNIX (R) Environment. Now, once again, Rich's colleague Steve Rago has thoroughly updated this classic work. The new third edition supports today's leading platforms, reflects new technical advances and best practices, and aligns with Version 4 of the Single UNIX Specification.



Steve carefully retains the spirit and approach that have made this book so valuable. Building on Rich's pioneering work, he begins with files, directories,…


Book cover of Python for Everybody: Exploring Data in Python 3

Daniel Zingaro Author Of Learn to Code by Solving Problems: A Python Programming Primer

From my list on for a rock solid python programming foundation.

Why am I passionate about this?

Some programmers learn through online articles, videos, and blog posts. Not me. I need a throughline—a consistent, expert distillation of the material to take me from where I am to where I want to be. I am not good at patching together information from disparate sources. I need a great book. I have a PhD in computer science education, and I want to know what helps people learn. More importantly, I want to know how we can use such discoveries to write more effective books. The books I appreciate most are those that demonstrate not only mastery of the subject matter but also mastery of teaching.

Daniel's book list on for a rock solid python programming foundation

Daniel Zingaro Why did Daniel love this book?

Learning to program is hard. We need teachers who remember this, who are patient, who support the learning process, who not only know how to teach but also know how to learn from their teaching. Severance is all of these things. I like the breezy but precise writing, sections on debugging, glossaries and exercises in each chapter, and discussion of common learner errors. Bonus feature: regular expressions.

By Charles R. Severance,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Python for Everybody as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Python for Everybody is designed to introduce students to programming and software development through the lens of exploring data. You can think of the Python programming language as your tool to solve data problems that are beyond the capability of a spreadsheet.

Python is an easy to use and easy to learn programming language that is freely available on Macintosh, Windows, or Linux computers. So once you learn Python you can use it for the rest of your career without needing to purchase any software.

This book uses the Python 3 language. The earlier Python 2 version of this book…


Book cover of Beautiful Code

Christian Clausen Author Of Five Lines of Code

From my list on reads with your hands on the keyboard.

Why am I passionate about this?

My life has been about programming for as long as I can remember. Learning to code was a way to connect with my dad and express my creativity at a young age. Since I grew up with code, it became the way I understood the world; often I could look at a process or program and immediately see its source code in my mind. I developed a very strong sense of aesthetics searching for “perfect code,” which for me was code that was not only error-free but resistant to errors. My studies, research, and career is about moving myself and all programmers closer to that goal: Software that never fails.

Christian's book list on reads with your hands on the keyboard

Christian Clausen Why did Christian love this book?

Continuing down the engineering part of this mini-curriculum, we have a collection of interesting ideas, each written by a different author, all of them inspiring.

Some of the chapters in this book I have reread more times than I can count, because the ideas are so original and intriguing that my fingers start to tingle.

By Andy Oram, Greg Wilson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Beautiful Code as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

How do the experts solve difficult problems in software development? In this unique and insightful book, leading computer scientists offer case studies that reveal how they found unusual, carefully designed solutions to high-profile projects. You will be able to look over the shoulder of major coding and design experts to see problems through their eyes. This is not simply another design patterns book, or another software engineering treatise on the right and wrong way to do things. The authors think aloud as they work through their project's architecture, the tradeoffs made in its construction, and when it was important to…


Book cover of Unix for the Beginning Mage

Jeremy Kepner Author Of Mathematics of Big Data: Spreadsheets, Databases, Matrices, and Graphs

From my list on the foundations of computing technology.

Why am I passionate about this?

Dr. Jeremy Kepner is head and founder of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Supercomputing Center (LLSC), and also a Founder of the MIT-Air Force AI Accelerator. Lincoln Laboratory is a 4000-person National Laboratory whose mission is to create defensive technologies to protect our Nation and the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution of the United States. Dr. Kepner is one of five Lincoln Laboratory Fellows, a position that "recognizes the Laboratory's strongest technical talent for outstanding contributions to Laboratory programs over many years." Dr. Kepner is recognized as one of nine MIT Fellows of the Society of Industrial Applied Mathematics (SIAM), for "contributions to interactive parallel computing, matrix-based graph algorithms, green supercomputing, and big data." 

Jeremy's book list on the foundations of computing technology

Jeremy Kepner Why did Jeremy love this book?

Unix/Linux has emerged as the most common operating system in the world. Found on almost every server, smartphone, and network-enabled device, Unix plays a critical role in all aspects of computing. Unix for the Beginning Mage is a fun introduction to Unix for the novice who may be intimidated by other texts.

By Joe Topjian,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Unix for the Beginning Mage as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Docker in Action

Laurentiu Spilca Author Of Spring Security in Action

From my list on a technical shelf of books for a Java Engineer.

Why am I passionate about this?

My passion for computer science started while spending my free time gaming in my young adult days, leading me to experiment with C++ and then dive into enterprise-level Java applications during high school. My enthusiasm for Java propelled me to teach and share my knowledge through Java and Spring tutorials on YouTube. I also frequent conferences where I exchange ideas on various software topics. My constant wish to contribute further to the community is filled by writing technical books. This mix of teaching, creating, and constant learning fuels me and pushes me further into the tech world. I really hope you will enjoy this selection of technical books! 

Laurentiu's book list on a technical shelf of books for a Java Engineer

Laurentiu Spilca Why did Laurentiu love this book?

Docker is the technology that works perfectly along with Kubernetes, and I believe that in such a fast-paced development environment, applications do not need to depend on the machine that they are running on.

What truly stood out for me was the exploration of Docker's features like images, networks, containers, and volumes, and how these elements create a consistent environment for applications to run. This consistency is key in eliminating the "well, it works on my machine" problem, making our lives easier and our work more portable.

By Jeff Nickoloff, Stephen Kuenzli, Bret Fisher

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Docker in Action as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The idea behind Docker is simple. Create a tiny virtual environment called a container that holds just your application and its dependencies. The Docker engine uses the host operating system to keep track of your containers. Applications running inside containers share resources, making their footprints small. They are easy to install, manage, and remove.
Docker in Action, Second Edition teaches you to create, deploy, and manage applications hosted in Docker containers running on Linux. Fully updated, with four new chapters and revised best practices and examples, this second edition begins with a clear explanation of the Docker model. Then, you…


Book cover of Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective

Shimon Schocken Author Of The Elements of Computing Systems: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles

From my list on how computers work, and how they are built.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a computer science professor and educator, my teaching motto is Rigor and Vigor. I believe that the only way to learn something deeply, whether it's an abstract mathematical argument or a complex computer system – is building the thing from the ground up, from first principles. That's the rigor. The second requirement – vigor – comes from the need to make this learning experience captivating, rewarding, empowering. I spent much of my career developing books, courses, and games that help learn computer science and mathematics with gusto. I am pleased that this work has had an impact, and that it resonates with many students and self-learners around the world.

Shimon's book list on how computers work, and how they are built

Shimon Schocken Why did Shimon love this book?

This weighty tome delves deep into the low-level working of computer programs.

This book is a great resource for professional programmers who work close to the machine in such fields as embedded software, cybersecurity, and device drivers. Assuming a basic knowledge of the C language, Bryant and O’Hallaron, two CMU professors, teach how to read and understand compiled code, how to optimize it for better performance, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

This is a hard-core technical book, written by engineers for engineers, in a dense style that is nonetheless accessible and practical. I like the numerous applied problems, each accompanied by a worked-out solution.

By Randal E. Bryant, David R. O'Hallaron,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Computer Systems as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

&>standalone product; MasteringEngineering (R) does not come packaged with this content. If you would like to purchase both the physical text and MasteringEngineering search for 0134123832 / 9780134123837 Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective plus MasteringEngineering with Pearson eText - Access Card Package, 3/e

Package consists of:

013409266X/9780134092669 Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective, 3/e 0134071921/9780134071923 MasteringEngineering with Pearson eText -- Standalone Access Card -- for Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective, 3/e

MasteringEngineering should only be purchased when required by an instructor.

For courses in Computer Science and Programming

Computer systems: A Programmer's Perspective explains the underlying elements common among all computer…


Book cover of Mastering Regular Expressions
Book cover of grep Pocket Reference
Book cover of Practical Vim

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,593

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in operating system, ninjas, and python?

Operating System 11 books
Ninjas 25 books
Python 30 books