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Description: POSIX-compliant shell
The Debian Almquist Shell (dash) is a POSIX-compliant shell derived
from ash.
.
Since it executes scripts faster than bash, and has fewer library
dependencies (making it more robust against software or hardware
failures), it is used as the default system shell on Debian systems.
Description: The Debian Almquist Shell
"dash" is a POSIX compliant shell that is much smaller than "bash".
We take advantage of that by making it the shell on the installation
root floppy, where space is at a premium.
.
It can be usefully installed as /bin/sh (because it executes scripts
somewhat faster than "bash"), or as the default shell either of root
or of a second user with a userid of 0 (because it depends on fewer
libraries, and is therefore less likely to be affected by an upgrade
problem or a disk failure). It is also useful for checking that a
script uses only POSIX syntax.
.
"bash" is a better shell for most users, since it has some nice
features absent from "dash", and is a required part of the system.
--- 64453 Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970
+++ 1518 Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970
@@ -1,7 +1,14 @@
-POSIX-compliant shell
- The Debian Almquist Shell (dash) is a POSIX-compliant shell derived
- from ash.
+The Debian Almquist Shell
+ "dash" is a POSIX compliant shell that is much smaller than "bash".
+ We take advantage of that by making it the shell on the installation
+ root floppy, where space is at a premium.
.
- Since it executes scripts faster than bash, and has fewer library
+ It can be usefully installed as /bin/sh (because it executes scripts
- dependencies (making it more robust against software or hardware
+ somewhat faster than "bash"), or as the default shell either of root
- failures), it is used as the default system shell on Debian systems.
+ or of a second user with a userid of 0 (because it depends on fewer
+ libraries, and is therefore less likely to be affected by an upgrade
+ problem or a disk failure). It is also useful for checking that a
+ script uses only POSIX syntax.
+ .
+ "bash" is a better shell for most users, since it has some nice
+ features absent from "dash", and is a required part of the system.