What is Shell Scripting?

In this post you will learn about shell Script and why to write Shell Script. Normally shells are interactive. It means shell accept command from you (via keyboard) and execute them. But if you use command one by one (sequence of 'n' number of commands) , the you can store this sequence of command to text file and tell the shell to execute this text file instead of entering the

commands. This is know as shell script.

Shell Script is series of command written in plain text file. Shell script is just like batch file is MS-DOS but have more power than the MS-DOS batch file."

Why to write shell script?

1. Shell script can take input from user, file and output them on screen.
2. Useful to create our own commands.
3.    Save lots of time.
4.    To automate some task of day today life.
5.    System Administration part can be also automated

Advantages of shell scripts

• The command and syntax are exactly the same as those directly entered in command line, so programmer do not need to switch to entirely different syntax
• Writing shell scripts are much quicker
• Quick start
• Interactive debugging etc.

Disadvantages of shell scripts

• Prone to costly errors, a single mistake can change the command which might be harmful
• Slow execution speed
• Design flaws within the language syntax or implementation
• Not well suited for large and complex task
• Provide minimal data structure unlike other scripting languages. etc