Shell




1. <operating system> (Originally from Multics, widely propagated via Unix) The command interpreter used to pass commands to an operating system; so called because it is the part of the operating system that interfaces with the outside world.

The commonest Unix shells are the c shell (csh) and the Bourne shell (sh).

2. (Or "wrapper") Any interface program that mediates access to a special resource or server for convenience, efficiency, or security reasons; for this meaning, the usage is usually "a shell around" whatever.

[Jargon File]



< Previous Terms Terms Containing shell Next Terms >
shebang
SHEEP
shelf
shelfware
SHELL
Abstract Window Toolkit
Aimnet
ampersand
amp off
Apple Attachment Unit Interface
shell out
shell script
shell variable
shielded twisted pair
SHIFT