Tutorial - Write a Shell in C

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Learn how to build a simple Unix shell in C programming language. Gain a deeper understanding of shell programming and the inner workings of a basic Unix shell.

Technical TutorialsCUnix

Introduction

This tutorial provides a walkthrough on how to write a simplistic Unix shell in the C programming language. It aims to demonstrate that even complex software can have a simple underlying concept, and that implementing it yourself can be a fun way to show your programming skills.

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Highlights

  • Covers the basic lifetime and loop of a shell program
  • Provides implementation details for reading a line from standard input
  • Explains the process of parsing the command string and executing the parsed command
  • Includes a link to the GitHub repository containing the complete code for the "lsh" shell

Recommendation

This tutorial is recommended for programmers who want to gain a deeper understanding of shell programming and the inner workings of a basic Unix shell. It can be particularly useful for university students who have assignments to write a shell, as it provides a starting point and guidance, while also advising against heavily relying on the provided code without permission.

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