Unix Shells

csh (C-Shell)
The C shell is a command processor that's typically run in a text window, allowing the user to type commands which cause actions. The C shell can also read commands from a file, called a script. Like all Unix shells, it supports filename wildcarding, piping, here documents, command substitution, variables and control structures for condition-testing and iteration. What differentiated the C shell, especially in the 1980s, were its interactive features and overall style. Its new features made it easier and faster to use. The overall style of the language looked more like C and was seen as more readable.

tcsh (TENEX C-Shell)
On many systems such as Mac OS X and Red Hat Linux csh is actually tcsh, an improved version of csh. One file containing the tcsh executable has links to it as both "csh" and "tcsh" so that either name refers to the same improved version of the C shell.

On Ubuntu and Solaris machines, there are two different packages: csh and tcsh. The former is a based on the original BSD version of csh and the later is the improved tcsh. To enable the improved version of csh (tcsh), just type 'tcsh'... You will now notice you have access to command history, working arrows etc...

Other shells exist, such as: bash, sh, ksh, zsh, rc etc... Each having their own unique advantages, however, the common shell principles still apply.



Shell startup Scripts (.files)
When you enter a shell (by logging in for example) or switch to another shell (su or executing a different shell), certain shell startup scripts will be executed. It can become confusing as to which shells use which files (I.e. .cshrc, .profile etc etc).

The following as a list of which shells use which files...

csh
Some versions have system-wide .cshrc and .login files. Every
version puts them in different places.

Start-up (in this order):
.cshrc - always; unless the -f option is used.
.login - login shells.

Upon termination:
.logout - login shells.

Others:
.history - saves the history (based on $savehist).

tcsh
Start-up (in this order):
/etc/csh.cshrc - always.
/etc/csh.login - login shells.
.tcshrc - always.
.cshrc - if no .tcshrc was present.
.login - login shells

Upon termination:
.logout - login shells.

Others:
.history - saves the history (based on $savehist).
.cshdirs - saves the directory stack.

sh
Start-up (in this order):
/etc/profile - login shells.
.profile - login shells.

Upon termination:
any command (or script) specified using the command:
trap "command" 0

ksh
Start-up (in this order):
/etc/profile - login shells.
.profile - login shells; unless the -p option is used.
$ENV - always, if it is set; unless the -p option is used.
/etc/suid_profile - when the -p option is used.

Upon termination:
any command (or script) specified using the command:
trap "command" 0

bash
Start-up (in this order):
/etc/profile - login shells.
.bash_profile - login shells.
.profile - login if no .bash_profile is present.
.bashrc - interactive non-login shells.
$ENV - always, if it is set.

Upon termination:
.bash_logout - login shells.

Others:
.inputrc - Readline initialization.

zsh
Start-up (in this order):
.zshenv - always, unless -f is specified.
.zprofile - login shells.
.zshrc - interactive shells, unless -f is specified.
.zlogin - login shells.

Upon termination:
.zlogout - login shells.

rc
Start-up:
.rcrc - login shells