Crayola book (computing)

The Rainbow Series, sometimes called Crayola books, were an assortment of books about computing with nicknames based on the color of their cover. For example, the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria was referred to as "The Orange Book". Crayola is the brand name of the most common crayon in the U.S.

Originally the term referred only to the NCSC security manuals, each of which had a different color for the cover. The term didn't refer to a specific list, so which books are on the list depends upon whom you ask.

One book commonly added to the list was based on this naming scheme, the "Unix System Administrator's Handbook" is currently commonly referred to as "The Purple Book", though its earlier editions were a different color.

The term "Crayola books" was popularized by the 1995 movie "Hackers" whose list included "The Dragon Book" (a still-used book on compilers) and "The Pink Shirt Book" (a guide to IBM PC's).

External links

• National Computer Security Center: Rainbow Series Library