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What is an external command? – Programs for command line use
An external command refers to a software program or utility that can be executed from a command line interface or a shell, providing additional functionality and extending the capabilities of the operating system. These commands are typically separate executable files or scripts that are stored in specific directories known as the “PATH” environment variable.
External commands are an integral part of command line interfaces, allowing users to perform various tasks, such as manipulating files, managing system resources, or executing certain operations. Unlike internal commands, which are built-in to the shell or operating system, external commands are developed by third-party vendors or individual developers.
Importance and Benefits
External commands add flexibility and power to command line interfaces by providing specialized functionality that may not be available through internal commands. These commands enable users to automate repetitive tasks, perform complex operations, or interact with external components and systems.
One of the key advantages of external commands is their portability. Since they are standalone programs, they can be used across different operating systems and platforms as long as the required dependencies are fulfilled. This cross-platform compatibility makes external commands an efficient tool, allowing users to perform similar actions regardless of the underlying system.
Examples of External Commands
There are numerous external commands available with various purposes and functions. Here are a few examples to illustrate their range of applications:
1. “ls” (List): A command used to list the files and directories in a specific location. This command provides various options to customize the output, such as sorting by size or timestamp.
2. “grep” (Global Regular Expression Print): This command is used to search for specific patterns or regular expressions within files or output. It is a powerful tool for text processing and data extraction.
3. “wget” (Web Get): A command commonly used to retrieve files from the internet through the command line. It supports various protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP, allowing users to download files with ease.
4. “git” (Version Control): Git is a distributed version control system widely used in software development. It provides a command-line interface to manage source code repositories, enabling collaboration and version tracking.
Conclusion
External commands play a crucial role in command line interfaces, enhancing their capabilities and enabling users to perform diverse tasks efficiently. By leveraging external commands, individuals and system administrators can achieve greater control, automation, and optimization in their workflow. These commands, developed by third-party vendors or individual developers, bring flexibility, portability, and specialized functionality to the command line interface, making them an essential part of any command line user’s toolkit.
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