Preface

This manual describes new features of Solaris^TM 2.5 UNIX^TM System V Release 4 (SVR4).

To help you find additional information quickly, this manual directs you to other sources for details. Use this book primarily as an overview and a pointer.

How This Manual Is Organized

This manual is organized into the following chapters:

• Chapter 1, "Introduction to Solaris 2.5," provides a brief introduction to Solaris 2.5, and gives a brief overview of Solaris products and the differences between SPARC, x86, and PowerPC systems.
• Chapter 2, "What's New Quick Reference," provides tables listing new features with brief descriptions. The tables cover new features for the Solaris 2.5 release and previous releases from Solaris 2.4 back to the Solaris 2.2 release.
• Chapter 3, "What's New in Solaris 2.5," provides descriptions of new features added to Solaris 2.5.
• Chapter 4, "Solaris 2.5 Documentation," describes available Solaris 2.5 printed and AnswerBook^TM on-line documentation and lists additional Solaris resource information.

What Typographic Changes and Symbols Mean

Table P-1 describes the type styles and symbols used in this book.

Table P-1

Typeface or Symbol	Meaning	Example
AaBbCc123	The names of commands, files, and directories; on-screen computer output	Edit your .login file. Use ls -a to list all files. system% You have mail.
AaBbCc123	What you type, contrasted with on-screen computer output	system%su Password:
AaBbCc123	Command-line placeholder: replace with a real name or value	To delete a file, type rm filename.
AaBbCc123	Book titles, new words or terms, or words to be emphasized	Read Chapter 6 in User's Guide. These are called class options. You must be root to do this.
Code samples are included in boxes and may display the following: C shell prompt........system%
	Superuser prompt, C shell	system#
	Bourne and Korn shell prompt	$
	Superuser prompt, Bourne and Korn shells	#

Platform-Specific Conventions

The following conventions are used to indicate that a section, note, bullet, table, or figure discussed in text applies only to a specific platform.

Section or Procedure Title

The following symbols are used to indicate that a section or procedure applies only to the named platform.

SPARC Denotes a SPARC platform-specific section or procedure.

x86 Denotes an x86 platform-specific section or procedure.

PowerPC Denotes a PowerPC platform-specific section or procedure.

Notes

The following notations are used to indicate that a section or procedure applies only to the named platform.

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For SPARC systems - This note is specific to the SPARC platform.

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For x86 systems - This note is specific to the x86 platform.

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For PowerPC systems - This note is specific to the PowerPC platform

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Bullet Items

The following items are used to indicate that a bullet applies only to the named platform.

• SPARC: This bullet is specific to the SPARC platform.
• x86: This bullet is specific to the x86 platform.
• PowerPC: This bullet is specific to the x86 platform.

Code Samples, Tables, and Figures

The following notations are used to indicate that a code sample, table, or figure applies only to the named platform.

Table 1-1 SPARC: Title Specific to SPARC Platform

Table 1-2 x86: Title Specific to x86 Platform

Table 1-2 PowerPC: Title Specific to x86 Platform