quartz/content/notes/unix-shell.md

title	tags
unix-shell	cosc202

unix-shell

• most common command shell (macOS, linux, android, ios)
• bash is another common shell
• windows shells:
  • cmd.exe (legacy)
  • powershell (more powerful than bash)
  • many ways to run bash

1 Unix shell good/bad

• good
  • embodies unix principle: separation of concerns
  • minimal -> shell just manages interaction of other small tools
  • highly programmable; supports complex automation
• bad
  • has quirkiness that can trip everyone up
• tradeoffs
  • Shell can be perfect to some tasks; terrible for others
  • extremely powerful however also difficult to learn to use

shells are in cosc202 as lowest-level, common means for controlling computers during software development