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The Unix shell is widely despised as a modern programming language due to its arcane syntax, unpredictable control flow, and lack of support for fundamental constructs like: exception handling, objects, a module system, string functions, or even local variables! It's old. There are a billion implementations of the core language and userland utilities, each with subtle and incompatible differences. Documentation is too sparse or too dense or available only at your local library. It's a minefield.

But for all its perceived flaws, the Unix shell can be an amazingly productive environmentâ€”once you learn to hate it properly. It has super powers. Stuff you won't find in more general purpose languages. Learn to harness the shell's AWESOME POWER and you'll be able to quickly automate a wide range of tasks related to development workflow, source code editing, and systems administration/analysis.

In this talk, I want to show how to navigate the minefield, how to "think in shell," demystify the strange grammar (yes, there's an actual grammar in there), and compare approaches to common problems in shell vs. Ruby.

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http://amara.org/v/GZSs/

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In the talk titled *The Shell Hater's Handbook*, Ryan Tomayko discusses the complexities and perceived flaws of the Unix shell while highlighting its potential for productivity in programming. He opens by establishing that, despite being a common source of disdain among developers, particularly in the Ruby community, the Unix shell holds a vital place in many developers' toolchains. Tomayko emphasizes that the shell is not just for interactive command-line tasks but functions as a programming language that, when mastered, can significantly streamline workflows.

Key Points Discussed:
- **Two Modes of Shell Use**: Tomayko differentiates between the interactive command-line use of the shell and its application as a programming language, which is often undervalued and misunderstood.
- **Importance of Understanding Shell for Tools**: He points to tools like RVM (Ruby Version Manager) and Git, explaining that extensive knowledge of shell programming underpins their functionality and effectiveness.
- **Special-Purpose Language**: Tomayko explains the concept that the shell is a special-purpose language, designed for assembling commands rather than functioning like general-purpose programming languages such as Ruby or Python. 
- **Syntax Quirks**: He critiques shell programming syntax, noting frustrations with constructs like conditional statements and the peculiarities of command use.
- **Documentation Challenges**: A major theme is the difficulty of finding and understanding shell documentation, contributing to the misconceptions and learning hurdles developers face when trying to master shell scripting. 
- **Power of Pipelines**: Tomayko demonstrates the power of pipelines using a practical example of processing an ebook to analyze word frequency. He illustrates how shell pipelines allow combining commands to manipulate data effectively, showcasing the shell’s potential for automation.
- **Evolution and Standardization**: He discusses the historical evolution of shell programming and the establishment of POSIX compliance aimed at promoting consistency across different shell implementations, though documentation for these standards can still be hard to find and navigate.

Conclusion: Tomayko concludes by acknowledging the unique power of shell programming as a tool for developers, particularly through its use of pipelines for automating tasks, while also shedding light on the significant barriers posed by its syntax and documentation.

Understanding how to effectively leverage the shell can lead to increased productivity, allowing developers to automate complex tasks efficiently. He encourages the audience to embrace the quirks of shell programming for the substantial benefits it can offer in their development workflows.

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