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Every modern operating system has at least one shell and some have many. Some shells are command-line oriented, such as the shell discussed in this book. Others are graphical, like Windows Explorer or the Macintosh Finder. Some users will interact with the shell only long enough to launch their favorite application, and then never emerge from that until they log off. But most users spend a significant amount of time using the shell. The more you know about your shell, the faster and more productive you can be.
Whether you are a system administrator, a programmer, or an end user, there are certainly occasions where a simple (or perhaps not so simple) shell script can save you time and effort, or facilitate consistency and repeatability for some important task. Even using an alias to change or shorten the name of a command you use often can have a significant effect. We’ll cover this and much more.
As with any general programming language, there is more than one way to do a given task. In some cases, there is only one best way, but in most cases there are at least two or three equally effective and efficient ways to write a solution. Which way you choose depends on your personal style, creativity, and familiarity with different commands and techniques. This is as true for us as authors as it is for you as the reader. In most cases we will choose a single method and implement it. In a few cases we may choose a particular method and explain why we think it’s the best. We may also occasionally show more than one equivalent solution so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and environment.
There is also sometimes a choice between a clever way to write some code, and a readable way. We will choose the readable way every time because experience has taught us that no matter how transparent you think your clever code is now, six or eighteen months and 10 projects from now, you will be scratching your head asking yourself what you were thinking. Trust us, write clear code, and document it—you’ll thank yourself (and us) later. |
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 Raspberry Pi For Dummies
Embrace the exciting new technology of Raspberry Pi!
With the invention of the unique credit-card sized single-board computer, the Raspberry Pi, comes a new wave of hardware geeks, hackers, and hobbyists who are excited about the possibilities of the Raspberry Pi, and this is the perfect guide to get you started... |  |  Microsoft Windows XP Color ManagementIf you could leave color management to the pros, you probably would. But with the proliferation of desktop systems and devices, everyone (regardless of role) is expected to get color right these days—and to do that, you need to know about a lot more than just tools and... |  |  Faster Smarter Network+ CertificationTake the next step in your career by earning your CompTIA Network+ certification the faster, smarter way. This innovative, high-energy guide makes the most of your study time by teaching exactly what you need for the Network+ exam. You get focused, no-fluff coverage of exam objectives—plus Test Smart tips, a rigorous cram-and-review... |
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