Linux Shell Question

[StrangerInBeijing]

Hi,

My plan for this year is taking my switch to open source further by learning Linux well, then move on to C and C++ programming. Maybe either or both Java and Phyton. (already played with writing some C program, and really cannot see where is the "oh, that's too hard" come from)

Anyhow, working my way through this book (Linux, 6th Edition) and doing good.

But the book explain a new topic, then how to do it in Bash shell, and then the differences in the TCSH, Korn, C shells (scuse stupid talking, I'm still a noob)
Thing is when u learn, you don't remember it all, especially same thing in different shells.

So I"m just curious. Which shell should I focus on, make sure I remember the syntax and rules (say for control structures) if my future plan is not linux admin or something, but programming on Linux (in C, C++, php, phyton, java, etc)

Reading back it sounds stupid. No need really care the shell. But I just like to be able to do everything in the shell. Feels cool.

[tr333]

I would say that Bash is the best option to learn, because it is used in so many places. It is an extension of Bourne shell (sh), which is used for almost all system scripts (eg. init scripts) throughout the various linux distros. It does also help to learn the differences between Bash and sh incase you are in a situation where you only have a sh-compatible shell (ash/dash). Zsh is another shell based on the bourne shell.

If you're just looking for a shell to use and not bother with programming, you might want to consider fish, the Friendly Interactive SHell (http://www.fishshell.org/).

[wossname]

Definitely Bash. It is by far the most commonly used Linux shell in use today. Once you have learned that to a high level you may want to consider learning the differences that Korn shell (Ksh) has to offer. But to be honest many of the features in Ksh are already incorporated into Bash anyway.

But I just like to be able to do everything in the shell. Feels cool.

Damn right it does! It's the only way to live.

[penagate]

Fish is pretty neat. I'm trying it now. The autocompletion feature is very handy.

I agree that bash (sh) is the most useful to learn initially.

[wossname]

The other major consideration (IMHO) is being able to use any system you find yourself using... Bash will let you do this, because it is essentially universal.

Getting too dependent on a non-standard set of tools (Fish, Joe, eclipse etc...) may make your life easier in the short term but could ultimately limit your flexibility when other systems appear on the horizon.

$0.02

[tr333]

The other major consideration (IMHO) is being able to use any system you find yourself using... Bash will let you do this, because it is essentially universal.

Getting too dependent on a non-standard set of tools (Fish, Joe, eclipse etc...) may make your life easier in the short term but could ultimately limit your flexibility when other systems appear on the horizon.

$0.02

On the subject of learning universal tools, you should start learning a few of the basic VI commands, since it is the only editor that is really guaranteed to exist on any unix/linux system. The "vimtutor" program that comes with the Vim text editor is a great intro, but make sure not to just learn any Vim extensions as they are not compatible with the original VI.