Advanced shell programming

Abstract

In this chapter we examine briefly those aspects of shells that are not required later in this book, and which may be considered as ‘advanced’ in comparison with those topics already covered. The other chapters in the book will enable you to use the shell quite adequately, and the contents of this chapter are by no means necessary for you to be a competent shell programmer. However, even if you do not at this stage make use of the facilities discussed in this chapter, knowledge of their existence is important should you in the future decide to study shell programming in greater detail. Also, if you read shell scripts written by other people, and if you encounter unfamiliar utilities, you will at least recognise the facilities they may use.