A handbook is a type of reference work

Reference work

A reference work is a compendium of information, usually of a specific type, compiled in a book for ease of reference. That is, the information is intended to be quickly found when needed. Reference works are usually referred to for particular pieces of information, rather than read beginning to end...

, or other collection of instructions, that is intended to provide ready reference .

A handbook is sometimes referred to as a vade mecum (Latin, "go with me") or pocket reference that is intended to be carried at all times.

Handbooks may deal with any topic, and are generally compendiums of information in a particular field or about a particular technique. They are designed to be easily consulted and provide quick answers in a certain area. For example, the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is a reference for how to cite works in MLA style, among other things.

"Handbook" is sometimes applied to documents that are produced within an organization that are not designed for publication—such as a company handbook for HR, for instance. In this case, the term is used nearly synonymously with "manual."

The name "handbook" may sometimes be applied to reference works that are not pocket-sized, but do provide ready reference, as is the case with several engineering

Engineering

Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...

 handbooks such as Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook

Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook

Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook was first published in 1934 and the most current eighth edition was published in October 2007...

, Marks Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, and the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics

The CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics is in its 92nd edition . It is sometimes nicknamed the 'Rubber Bible' or the 'Rubber Book', as CRC originally stood for "Chemical Rubber Company"....

. Handbooks are widely used in the sciences as quick references for various kinds of data.

External links

• Vademecum in opus Saxonis et alia opera Danica compendium ex indice verborum - a Medieval Latin dictionary