Do I need to Memorize the Linux Configuration File?

[examworm]

hi,

If we want to configure bind, dhcpd or any other service on linux or configuring linux itself, the files are in different formats, their configuration structures are different. Now what is the actual way of learning the way these files are written, the way these are processed.

I mean, I dont want to memorize bind 9 configuration file but want to write it from my brain from scratch but after knowing the structure and format used in it.

Do I need to learn scripting for it to know the core structure of these files or ????

I am very good in linux but all the time I refer to tutorials to do something.. I am thinking that I am missing some core technique of learning linux..

Thanks

[alf55]

Yes, the configuration files are a learned concept. The different formats of different application/daemons/etc are because they have different needs. Even of they were written in say XML, they would be different and you would have to know how they are put together. Also they tend to keep a backward compatible format for as long as possible. The developers get a lot of grief from users when the format changes for a specific tool. Also do not expect them to ever get into a common style (they belong to the application and not the OS or a single company).

[examworm]

Thanks. so it means i need to study each program and its file structure individually?

[Cabhan]

It is true that many programs use different formats, but there are some standards out there.

In any case, the format for a program's config file is often included in its man page or website. So although you should probably be familiar with config files that you frequently interact with, you do not need to memorize them.