Date: Mon, 11 Aug 1997 19:43:42 -0500 (CDT) From: "Jay D. Nelson" <jdn@qiv.com> To: Studded <Studded@dal.net> Cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Needed: Info on shells and script writing Message-ID: <Pine.BSF.3.96.970811192326.1190C-100000@acp.qiv.com> In-Reply-To: <199708112306.QAA00849@mail.san.rr.com>
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This is strictly personal opinion: The best shell is the one you have. sh is _long_ from dead. It's one of the few things you can count on finding on a Unix system. I do everything I can in the Bourne shell. If that won't work, I use Perl since you can't count on any other shell anyway. Don't know of any books. My source has always been `man sh` as well as reading scripts. Start with your startup scripts. There is an effort underway, I think, to collect shell programming tricks and hints. Watch this list. It looks like it'll be interesting. Speaking of religious wars, I suggest you learn vi _well_ for the same reason above -- it is one of the few things you can expect to find on a Unix system. Again -- the best tool is the one you have. -- Jay On Mon, 11 Aug 1997, Studded wrote: > I'm looking for a good book on the sh shell and writing scripts >with it. Even better would be some good FAQ's and such available on the >net since "free" is much more in my price range nowadays. :) > > Alternatively, is sh "dead" in the modern Unix world? I know Perl >and TCL are very popular, but I'm trying to produce some tools that will >be compatible across a number of platforms, and are easily >accesible/modifiable by people who are not professional system >administrators. > > Finally, for general purposes, what is the "best" shell available, >and why? I know that this topic borders on religious fervor for some >people, but I'm at the point where I'm ready to pursue some >intermediate/advanced learning and before I put a lot of effort into >something that is never going to be the "best" I'd like some advice. >Personally I'm happy with Bash for my everyday stuff, although from what >I've heard it's looked down on by the purists. > >Thank you, > >Doug > >PS, I'm on both lists, but I'm not sure which is the more appropriate for >this question. Please feel free to limit responses to whichever you feel >is best. > >Do thou amend they face, > and I'll amend my life. >-Shakespeare, "Henry V" >
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