One shell script to rule them all Note: This is strictly about scripting. There is no need for any debate over the best user interface, as Fish shell exists. The science is settled here. Only fish deniers on the fringe say otherwise.
Suppose we have created the ideal operating system. It is implemented in your favorite low level language with a performant implementation Ada, but now we need a scripting language to glue bits together.
If there could be only one, which would it be? Does Posix really matter to you. Do you believe in the cross-platform meme? Bourne, Bash, Ksh, Fish (as a scripting language no) or perhaps you think a general purpose language like Python, Perl or even Scheme should be used.
There is no need for any debate over the best user interface, as ZSH shell exists.
Tyler Rodriguez
If I could only have one it'd probably be python. It's not the greatest scripting language, but it's versatile and can do everything I'd ever require of a scripting language on any system I'd need to use.
William Harris
c
Camden Evans
The ideal operating system would include the ideal scripting language (ie not fucking Python)
Evan Walker
And what would that be...?
Even javascript wouldn't be a worse choice than C.
Core in Ada, Scripted in Scheme: This needs to exist.
Austin King
I choose execline. The only scripting language so simple and lightweight it doesn't need a runtime interpreter. Also one of the very few good applications of continuation passing style. skarnet.org/software/execline/
