Interpreting Commands
To fulfill its job as the interface between the user and the operating system kernel, a shell has to perform five different functions. These functions include interpreting commands, setting variables, enabling input/output redirection, enabling pipelines, and allowing customization of a user’s working environment. In this chapter, we’ll look at how bash and zsh interpret commands. As an added bonus, much of what we’ll cover in the next few chapters will also help you prepare for certain Linux certification exams, such as the Linux Professional Institute or CompTIA Linux+ exams.
Topics in this chapter include:
- Understanding the structure of a command
- Executing multiple commands at once
- Running commands recursively
- Understanding the command history
- Escaping and quoting
To follow along, you can use pretty much any Linux distro that you desire, as long as it’s running with either bash or...
