Simple Shell

This repository contains the source code for a simple Unix shell implementation. The shell is written in C programming language and provides basic command-line functionality, including executing commands, handling input/output redirection, and supporting background processes.

Features

• Executes commands entered by the user.
• Supports basic command-line syntax, such as command arguments.
• Implements input/output redirection using the '<' and '>' operators.
• Handles background processes using the '&' operator.
• Supports built-in commands, including cd for changing directories and exit for exiting the shell.
• Displays a prompt for user input.
• Parses and tokenizes user input.

Getting Started

To get started with the simple shell, follow these steps:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/rayesyounes/simple_shell.git
   

2. Compile the source code:

   gcc -Wall -Werror -Wextra -pedantic *.c -o shell
   

3. Run the shell:

   ./shell
   

Usage

Once the shell is running, you can enter commands and interact with it. The basic syntax for running commands is:

command [arguments]

Some examples of supported commands:

• Running a program:

  $ ls
  

• Changing directories:

  $ cd path/to/directory
  

• Exiting the shell:

  $ exit
  

Input/Output Redirection

The shell supports input/output redirection using the < and > operators. These operators allow you to redirect the standard input or output of a command to a file.

• Redirecting input from a file:

  $ command < input.txt
  

• Redirecting output to a file:

  $ command > output.txt
  

Background Processes

The shell can run commands in the background using the & operator. This allows you to execute multiple commands simultaneously.

• Running a command in the background:

  $ command &
  

Built-in Commands

The shell provides some built-in commands that are executed directly by the shell itself.

• Changing directories using cd:

  $ cd path/to/directory
  

• Exiting the shell using exit:

  $ exit
  

Screenshots

Limitations

• The shell does not support complex features found in advanced shells, such as piping, command substitution, and shell scripting.
• Error handling and input validation are limited in this simple implementation.

Contributing

Contributions to the simple shell are welcome. If you find a bug or have an enhancement in mind, please open an issue or submit a pull request.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for more information.

Acknowledgments

The simple shell was developed as part of a programming exercise and is inspired by the Unix shell. Special thanks to the contributors and the open-source community for their valuable resources and support.