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What Computer language does the mac terminal use?
- Thread starter MacHaris
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I don't know much about this kind of thing, but I do know that, OS X and Linux are both variations on Unix.
It depends on what you mean with "computer language".
Both system use similar shells; the program you enter the commands in and which execute those.
There are different shells; depends on the linux you use they might can easy be interchanged.
But the problem is that many things you do in shell are different on Mac and Linux; that said: the syntax is same/similar; the semantic is very different.
Then there are higher languages like PHP or Perl or C; those are much more compatible between different worlds.
Do you have more specific details ?
Both system use similar shells; the program you enter the commands in and which execute those.
There are different shells; depends on the linux you use they might can easy be interchanged.
But the problem is that many things you do in shell are different on Mac and Linux; that said: the syntax is same/similar; the semantic is very different.
Then there are higher languages like PHP or Perl or C; those are much more compatible between different worlds.
Do you have more specific details ?
Let me reword my question.
====REWORDED QUESTION================================
Which language do I use on (APPLE/UNIX)Terminal to command things?
=====================================================
====REWORDED ANSWER================================
You can choose from many different shells on (APPLE/UNIX)Terminal to command things
=====================================================
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_command-line_interpreters
I don't think all options are listed there.
You use the standard stuff used in UNIX, like sudo, mkdir/rmdir...etc.
If you're talking about human languages, it's all in English. When was the last time a terminal/command line interface was in something other than English?
Nice to meet you
A shell offers important characteristics of a programming language; define variables, modify those, make decisions; being able to describe an algorithm to solve a problem. Sure, it's an interpreter. But that are other languages too.
I wouldn't call the terminal's bash shell a language.
A unix terminal command can be used (by itself, or in a shell script) to run a variety of different computer languages, depending on what is installed on the computer, and your intended purpose.
The bash shell gives you an interface that is used for interpreting unix commands.
Quick facts here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bash_(Unix_shell)
I _think_ that you are asking for some information on learning to use the terminal, with that _long_ list of possible commands.
I also think it will help if you can tell us what your goal is... (what do you want to achieve by using the terminal?)
Do you have any specific questions?
In the mean time - here's a great reference for unix commands, and how to use them:
http://hayne.net/MacDev/Notes/unixFAQ.html
A unix terminal command can be used (by itself, or in a shell script) to run a variety of different computer languages, depending on what is installed on the computer, and your intended purpose.
The bash shell gives you an interface that is used for interpreting unix commands.
Quick facts here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bash_(Unix_shell)
I _think_ that you are asking for some information on learning to use the terminal, with that _long_ list of possible commands.
I also think it will help if you can tell us what your goal is... (what do you want to achieve by using the terminal?)
Do you have any specific questions?
In the mean time - here's a great reference for unix commands, and how to use them:
http://hayne.net/MacDev/Notes/unixFAQ.html
To put it simply: English. Sort of. The commands are based on English.
The Terminal runs a Unix shell (Bash, more specifically), which has a standardized set of basic commands. Shell commands are mostly similar across different Unix and Linux variants and shells. Some shells also offer many more advanced functions, like scripting.
This blog entry is a good read on the subject, and contains most of the basics to get you started: Introduction to the Mac OS X Command Line
As others have said, bash is the scripting language for terminal, and the default on most linux distros. However, if you're just looking to do something non-portable (OSX only) you might also look into Automator and Applescript, depending on what you need to accomplish.
Nice to meet you
A shell offers important characteristics of a programming language; define variables, modify those, make decisions; being able to describe an algorithm to solve a problem. Sure, it's an interpreter. But that are other languages too.
Sure, bash is turing complete, so it more then qualifies as a programming language. Doesn't change the fact that people call it a shell. Anyway, that is besides the point, which is - question 'which computer language does mac terminal use' is an extremely weird one if the person asking is an expert (or at least a power user). And OP's being quite arrogant to people trying to help him does not make his case any stronger.
Why would you assume he's an expert? Why would an expert ask such a beginner's question? You're the one who sounds arrogant; it's people like you who put people off asking questions.
On one hand: "… Darwin base including a large amount of code derived from FreeBSD. …" – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_BSD_operating_systems
Sometimes the roots of Mac OS X are shown as more BSD (than FreeBSD) …
Unix history-simple [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], by Eraserhead1, Infinity0, Sav_vas, from Wikimedia Commons
Unix timeline.en [Public domain], by Guillem, Wereon, Hotmocha (copied from old version's history)
Christoph S. (redrew the image with Inkscape) (Original image: Image:Unix.png), from Wikimedia Commons
The default shell is already bash.
Of course, as it is Unix-related, and somewhat less Linux-like, some shell commands that you might expect to use in Linux will not be supported, or work in unexpected ways.
See the various man files for commands that you want to use, which will explain the accepted format for those commands in the bash shell.
I agree with robvas - if you want to use Linux, then install the flavor that you like. Then you will have a linux command line that will be what you want.
No offense OP, but you sound VERY new to this stuff.
and thats just fine! But start very small. http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/introduction-to-the-mac-os-x-command-line
and thats just fine! But start very small. http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/introduction-to-the-mac-os-x-command-line
