Python for unix and linux system administration

Python for Unix and Linux System Administration

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Python for Unix and LinuxTomcat System The Definitive Guide Administration

™

Jason Brittain and Ian F.M. Jones Noah Gift and Jeremy Darwin

Beijing • Cambridge • Farnham • Köln • Sebastopol • Taipei • Tokyo

Python for Unix and Linux System Administrationby Noah Gift and Jeremy M. Jones
Copyright © 2008 Noah Gift and Jeremy M. Jones. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Published by O’Reilly Media, Inc., 1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472. O’Reilly books may be purchased for educational, business, or sales promotional use. Online editions are also available for most titles (http://safari.oreilly.com). Formore information, contact our corporate/ institutional sales department: (800) 998-9938 or corporate@oreilly.com.

Editor: Julie Steele Production Editor: Loranah Dimant Production Services: nSight, Inc. Printing History:
August 2008: First Edition.

Cover Designer: Karen Montgomery Interior Designer: David Futato Illustrator: Robert Romano

Nutshell Handbook, the Nutshell Handbook logo,and the O’Reilly logo are registered trademarks of O’Reilly Media, Inc. Python for Unix and Linux System Administration, the image of a boa constrictor, and related trade dress are trademarks of O’Reilly Media, Inc. Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book, and O’Reilly Media,Inc. was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in caps or initial caps.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

ISBN: 978-0-596-51582-9 [M] 1218651032

I dedicate this book to Dr. Joseph E.Bogen, my mom, and my wife, Leah—three people who have loved me and believed in me when it counted the most. —Noah I dedicate this book to my wife, Debra, and my children, Zane and Justus. You encouraged me, bore with me with great patience, and gave me many smiles along the journey of writing this book. This book is as much yours as it is mine. —Jeremy

Table of Contents

Foreword . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....