From Bash to Z Shell: Conquering the Command Line

by Oliver Kiddle, Peter Stephenson, Jerry Peek

Overview

This comprehensive, hands-on guide focuses on two of the most popular and feature-rich shells, bash and zsh. From Bash to Z Shell: Conquering the Command Line is a book for all skill levels. Novices will receive an introduction to the features of shells and power users will get to explore the benefits of zsh—one of the most powerful, versatile shells ever written. Intermediate users will uncover hints, recipes, and ideas to enhance their skill sets.

The book covers shell programming, but is unique in its thorough coverage of using shells interactively—a powerful and time-saving alternative to Windows and a mouse. This strong author team has written an immediately useful book, packed with examples and suggestions that users of Unix, Linux, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows can readily apply.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590593769
Publisher:	Apress
Publication date:	11/12/2004
Edition description:	1st ed.
Pages:	472
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Oliver Kiddle is actively involved with the development of the Z shell, and acts as a team authority in areas such as completion and parameters. Kiddle is a graduate of the University of York, U.K.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Introduction to shells; Using shell features together; More shell features.- Customizing bash and zsh: Starting shells and shell windows; The command line and editing; Shell history; File and directory management; Using patterns to match files and other things; Shell variables; The shell's Input/Output mechanisms; Processes and terminals; Using the completion system.- Customizing bash and zsh: A closer look at shell syntax; Shell functions and scripts; Extending the zsh editor with functions; Extending bash and zsh completion systems.

Editorial Reviews

All in all, From Bash to Z Shell provides a frequent shell user with a plethora of new insights into customizing the bash and zsh shell programs to fit his/her tastes. The authors have filled a void in tackling the subject of customizing the shell rather than just simply using it.

Slashdot.org