Preferred language for shell scripting?

[Guest]

Hi all,

I'm a Unix guy from way back, who's enjoying learning C# and Windows
programming. Overall, it's not such a difficult transition (as long as one
keeps an open mind ), but there is one thing from Unix I miss the most -
the command line.

I've install a Unix like programming environment, call MSys, which let's me
do command line programming the way I want to, with the bash shell, and this
is running smoothly (vim editor, bash, C# compiler, SDK documentation - all
working).

I'm wondering though, what do experienced Windows programmers use for shell
commands, and scripts. Surely not DOS - I mean, that sucks. I've heard of
VB-Script and Javascript being used as shell scripts, but I wouldn't know
where to begin with that, and wouldn't know if it is worth trying.

Surely don't open Windows Explorer every time you want to move or rename a
file? LOL!

So, what do you guys use?

- Javaman (showing his roots)

 

[likwoka]

Python. Also see Microsoft Tech Center for some sample Python scripts
(and explore other scripting languages).

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/scripts/python/pyindex.mspx

HTH,
Alex

 

[Bob Grommes]

Sometimes we use the GUI, distasteful as that may be. If scripting is
needed, VBScript can be used, as you indicated. There are of course as
you already know, UNIX-style shells, and proprietary alternatives, Ruby
interpreters, various utility programs, and I have been known to whack
together C# programs that use the Directory, DirectoryInfo, File and
FileInfo classes to automate common operations.

Frankly I don't have that much call for it, so don't really live in the
scripting world that much and haven't developed a strong preference for
anything in particular. Visual Studio takes care of 99% of the file
management required for a project and that's where I do most of my
development.

--Bob

 

[Mihai N.]

I'm a Unix guy from way back, who's enjoying learning C# and Windows

programming. Overall, it's not such a difficult transition (as long as one
keeps an open mind ), but there is one thing from Unix I miss the most -
the command line. ....
So, what do you guys use?

Perl. Sometimes any language supported by the WSH (Windows Scripting Host),
which means VBScript, JavaScript or Perl.
I use the Perl 5.8.x from ActiveState
http://www.activestate.com/Products/Download/Download.plex?id=ActivePerl
Has a lot of Windows modules, includes Tcl, COM and WSH support.
They also have a Python, if you prefer.

Instead of the plain shell and instead of Explorer I am using FAR Manager
(http://farmanager.com), a Norton Commander clone (brother to Midnight
Commander, but better .
Has macros, free SDK, and tons of plugins.
Is $25, demo version avalable, and you can buy it from
http://www.rarsoft.com/
I start it at the begining of the day, close it at the end of the day,
I berly see Explorer. And I can do anything with is about 10 times
faster than anyone can do it with Explorer.

 

[Helge Jensen]

Python. Also see Microsoft Tech Center for some sample Python scripts
(and explore other scripting languages).

LazyPython & deep_reload makes using python as an interactive shell even
easier. Get them at http://www.idyll.org/~n8gray/code/index.html

 

[Guest]

Thanks everyone. Your opinions and information have been most helpful. I was
not aware that MS provided so much assistance for scripting, or of the other
commercial products out there.

- Javaman