XShell is a custom Unix shell designed specifically for Linux distributions. It provides basic shell functionality with enhanced features such as job control, command history, and pipelining. Built to function within the terminal, XShell supports the execution of both built-in commands and external programs, allowing users to interact with the system and manage processes.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Job Control | XShell allows users to run processes in the background and bring them to the foreground as needed. Commands like jobs, fg, and bg enable efficient process management. |
| Command History | With support for command history, XShell enables users to recall and execute previously run commands using the arrow keys or the history command. |
| Built-in Commands | XShell includes several built-in commands for common tasks: cd: Change the current directory. help: Display help information about the shell. exit: Exit the shell. history: View the history of executed commands. jobs: List all background jobs. fg: Bring a background job to the foreground. bg: Resume a stopped job in the background. |
- External Command Execution:
XShell can execute external programs and commands, making it versatile for interacting with the operating system. It also supports the execution of processes in the background by appending&to a command.
XShell is designed to be lightweight and functional, offering a simplified yet powerful alternative to more complex shells like Bash or Zsh. It has been fully tested on Debian-based Linux distributions and aims to provide an intuitive experience for users who need basic shell capabilities with added support for job control and history.
This shell is ideal for users who want to manage processes and commands efficiently without the overhead of a more feature-heavy environment. XShell is built with simplicity in mind, offering just the right amount of functionality for most day-to-day tasks in a Linux terminal environment.
XShell requires both the GNU Readline and History libraries to handle command input, history, and line editing. The installation process may vary depending on your Linux distribution. Follow the instructions below to install the necessary dependencies and run XShell.
For Ubuntu or other Debian-based distributions, install the necessary development libraries:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libreadline-dev libhistory-dev
On Fedora, Red Hat, or CentOS, use dnf to install the required libraries:
sudo dnf install readline-devel history-devel
On Arch Linux or Manjaro, use pacman to install the libraries:
sudo pacman -S readline
(Note: Arch-based distributions generally include history functionality with readline, so a separate libhistory package is not needed.)
After installing the dependencies, compile XShell using gcc, linking both readline and history libraries:
gcc -o xshell shell.c -lreadline -lhistory
This command compiles the shell.c file and links the readline and history libraries to create the executable xshell.
Once compiled, run XShell with the following command:
sudo su
./xshell
To remove the installed dependencies: Ubuntu/Debian-based:
sudo apt remove libreadline-dev libhistory-dev
Fedora-based:
sudo dnf remove readline-devel history-devel
Arch Linux-based:
sudo pacman -R readline
Basic Usage
Use the cd command to change the current working directory:
cd /path/to/directory
You can run any external program, including running processes in the background by appending &:
./my_program &
XShell provides built-in job control:
List Jobs:
jobs
Bring Job to Foreground:
fg PID
Send Job to Background:
bg PID
XShell uses the History library to manage command history:
View History:
history
Recall Commands:
Use the up/down arrow keys to navigate previously entered commands.
To exit XShell, use the exit command:
exit
Troubleshooting Common Errors
readline/readline.h or history/history.h not found:
Ensure you have installed both libreadline-dev and libhistory-dev (or the equivalent for your distribution).
Compile Errors:
Ensure both readline and history libraries are properly linked during compilation:
gcc -o xshell shell.c -lreadline -lhistory
-
Fork the Repository:
Start by forking this repository to your own GitHub account. -
Clone the Fork:
Clone the forked repository to your local machine.git clone https://github.com/your-username/xshell.git Create a Branch: Create a new branch for your feature or bug fix. Ensure your branch name is descriptive:
Make Changes: Implement your changes. If you’re adding a new feature or fixing a bug, please ensure:
Your code is well-commented and follows the project's coding style.
New features come with appropriate tests (if applicable).
Run Tests: Ensure that all existing and new tests pass before submitting your changes. You can also manually test your modifications by running XShell locally.
Commit Changes: Commit your changes with a clear, concise commit message:
Submit a Pull Request: Go to the original repository and submit a pull request (PR) from your branch. Please include the following in your PR:
A detailed description of what the changes do.
Reference to any relevant issues or discussions.
Screenshots or logs if applicable.
Once your PR is submitted, it will be reviewed. Be patient as maintainers may request changes or clarification before merging.
Code Style Guidelines
Follow consistent indentation (use spaces, preferably 2 or 4).
Make sure variable and function names are descriptive and written in snake_case.
Use comments to explain complex logic.
Keep commits small and focused on a single task or feature.
Avoid unnecessary libraries or dependencies.
Reporting Bugs
If you encounter any issues or bugs, feel free to report them by creating a new issue on the repository. When filing a bug report, please provide the following information:
A clear description of the issue.
Steps to reproduce the bug.
Any error messages or logs.
Your system environment (OS version, distribution, shell version).