Functional Programming For Dummies

Chapter 12

Handling the Command Line

IN THIS CHAPTER

Obtaining command-line input

Working with individual values

Performing command-line tasks

Working at the command line may seem mildly old fashioned in a world of GUI applications that can perform amazing tricks. However, most developers and administrators know differently. Many of the tools in use today still rely on the command line because it provides a relatively simple, straightforward, and efficient method of interacting with an application. Of course, working at the command line has downsides, too. The most easily understood price of using the command line pertains to ease of use. Anyone who has used the command line extensively knows that it’s all too easy to forget command line switches, data inputs, and other required information that a GUI would normally supply as part of a menu entry or form. This chapter begins by discussing methods to make the command line a bit easier to work with.

From the user perspective, remembering arcane command-line syntax is one of the negatives of using the command line. From the developer perspective, finding effective ways to separate the various bits of input and turn them into useful ...