shell : Java Glossary

A shell is a program that lets you type arbitrary commands into it, that are immediately executed. It also lets you combine commands into files called scripts for batch execution. In Windows, you can use the task manager to schedule scripts to be executed at some later time, possibly repeatedly.

Scripts commonly used in Windows include:

• The command prompt. (aka the command line, or the DOS box (though it no longer runs DOS programs) or the compatibility box) which runs *.cmd or *.bat scripts.

  For convenience, create a shortcut for C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe or and put it on your task bar at the bottom of the screen.

  If you plan to invoke it rarely:

  1. Right click Start.
  2. Type cmd into the search/Cortana box
  3. Click Command Prompt. Optionally right click to run as administrator.

  CMD (Command) evolved from the DOS batch language. 16 bit DOS (Disk Operating System) and Win 3.1 programs no longer work under Windows 10. You need new 32 or 64 bit version of them.

• X:\Program Files\JPSoft\TCMD21\tcc.exepart of Take Command. Offers a script language that extends cmd.exe. This is what I use myself.
• Bash: popular in Linux/Unix, run under Cygwin emulation.
• PowerShell.exe. Comes with Windows.

You control the default shell with: set ComSpec= X:\Program Files\JPSoft\TCMD21\tcc.exe /E:2500 /C