FreeBSD6 Unleashed

Chapter 9. Customizing the Shell

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Adding Shells to the System and Making Them Available

• Using Alternative Shells

• Shell Initialization Files

• Customizing Your Shell Environment

• Shell and Environment Variables

Regardless of whether or not you choose to operate your FreeBSD system through the X11 GUI—particularly as an administrator—you’re going to have to deal with a shell. A shell gives you all the flexibility you need to accomplish even the most complex tasks but also dictates a user experience that’s arcane at best. In this chapter, we’ll make ourselves at home in the shell—comfortable enough to use it as a programming environment as well as an everyday user interface.

We’ve already talked about the basics of the shell and what you ...