RazzShell

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RazzShell is a custom Unix shell created by Raj Acharya. Written in the C programming language, it is designed to provide a user-friendly command-line interface with unique features and visual enhancements. RazzShell offers alternative command names for easier use, colorful output, session management, and support for external programs, among other capabilities.

Features

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RazzShell includes a variety of built-in features aimed at enhancing the user experience on the Unix command line:

  • **Custom Command Names**: Common Unix commands have been renamed for ease of use. For instance, `cd` becomes `change`, and `ls` becomes `list`.
  • **Colorful Output**: Directory listings and error messages are color-coded to improve readability.
  • **Session Saving and Bookmarking**: Users can save their session history and bookmark frequently used commands for quick access.
  • **Built-in Commands**: RazzShell includes built-in commands such as `change` (change directory), `list` (list directory contents), `copy`, `delete`, `cpuusage`, `memusage`, and others.
  • **Root Privilege Elevation**: Users can elevate to root within the shell environment using the command `sudo su`.
  • **External Command Support**: In addition to built-in commands, RazzShell allows users to execute external programs.

Comparison with Other Shells

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RazzShell distinguishes itself from traditional Unix shells like Bash, Zsh, and Fish in several key areas:

  • **Simplified Commands**: RazzShell uses custom, simplified command names to make the shell more approachable for beginners.
  • **Enhanced Visuals**: It features color-coded output for files, errors, and directories, which helps users quickly interpret the command line environment.
  • **Integrated Features**: Features like bookmarking, session saving, and visual command flow are integrated into the shell, whereas these would require additional tools or scripting in other shells.
  • **Root Privilege Elevation**: Unlike other shells, RazzShell allows root elevation (`sudo su`) while retaining the RazzShell environment and interface.

Development and Release

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RazzShell was developed by Raj Acharya and released in October 2024. It is released under the MIT License and is available for installation on Unix-like operating systems.

Installation

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RazzShell can be installed on any Unix-like system with the GCC compiler and the Readline library.

For Arch Linux Users

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The shell is available via the Arch User Repository (AUR):

```bash yay -S razzshell ```

For Other Unix-Like Systems

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1. Clone the GitHub repository: ```bash git clone https://github.com/rajacharya987/razzshell.git ``` 2. Navigate to the project directory: ```bash cd razzshell ``` 3. Compile the source code: ```bash gcc -o razzshell razzshell.c -lreadline ``` 4. Install RazzShell: ```bash sudo cp razzshell /usr/local/bin/ sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/razzshell ```

Reception

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RazzShell has been positively received for its unique approach to simplifying Unix shell commands and providing a more visually engaging interface. The shell has been featured in online articles, including [Raj Acharya’s LinkedIn article](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/introducing-razzshell-customized-unix-shell-built-enhanced-acharya-qo28f/), where the developer discusses the features, motivation, and future plans for the project.

See Also

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References

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