Getting started with open source software introduces a comprehensive collection of advanced open source software useful in developing software applications. The book contains information on open-source tools such as Linux, MySQL, PHP, Python, and Perl. Special highlights for software construction utilities and application libraries are included. Each tool is covered in the context of a real-life application development setting. This unique book presents a comprehensive discussion of advanced tools, a valuable asset used by most application developers and programmers, and includes a special focus on open source software, which is very commonly usable and powerful. Getting started with open source software is designed for application developers and programmers working with open source tools, as well as advanced-level students concentrating on engineering, mathematics, and computer science.