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Automation of Routine Tasks (Shell Scripting)

2,097 bytes added, 10:36, 27 January 2010
Created page with 'Category:LinuxCagtegory:Ubuntu == Definition of Shell Scripting == The term "Shell Scripting" refers to Linux or Unix operating system commands placed in a file to be e...'
[[Category:Linux]][[Cagtegory:Ubuntu]]

== Definition of Shell Scripting ==

The term "Shell Scripting" refers to Linux or Unix operating system commands placed in a file to be executed in a sequence. This frees the user or administrator from issuing the same commands manually from the shell prompt.

Here is the Wikipedia Definition of a Shell script: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_script http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_script]

== Background Information ==

It is very common for people that are taking computer programming courses for the first time to ask, "Why are you teaching operating system commands? Didn't that die-out with MS-DOS?" The answer to that question depends on how the person is going to use the computer system....

For example, people that just use computers to perform simple tasks, probabaly will NOT use operating system commands. Those people are just
using the computer at the graphical (high-end). This is why they are referred to by IT (Information Technology) staff as "end-users". On the other hand, there may be users that are just curious, or employed to administer or help to "automate" certain routine tasks. These individuals need to learn programming languages or operating system commands to create shell scripts in order to provide that "automation".

Since these individuals tend to work "behind-the-scenes", many opt to use simple text-based tools which give them the flexibility and efficiency to concentrate on the task at hand.

== Graphical Shell or Text Based Shell Scripting ==

There is an on-going debate regarding Graphical versus Text-based in programming for many years. This author remembers people mentioning about "Graphical Shells", but these approaches never seem to go "mainstream".

Programmers have more flexibility with tools to help them program. Many programmers use Visual tools to help produce code (these tools or applications are called "front-ends") which provide graphics to make it easier for the user to construct code (which is done by the application or tool "behind the scenes" (the backend).

== Resources ==
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