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masinick
Linux Guru
Joined: 03 Apr 2025
Posts: 8615
Location: Concord, NH
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 Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2025 5:41 pm Post subject: Dash Shell |
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There is a lightweight POSIX Shell called Dash that was ported from the NetBSD implementation of ash in 1997. I can find all kinds of Google and Yahoo search references to the history of dash, but I do not find any online documentation about its use. Usually you can find online man pages; I have not had any luck.
I can probably check on various systems - Debian based systems usually have it, but I am not using my Debian systems right now, I am using that common desktop system made by that mega billion dollar company! 
Anyone find a man page or description of the use of dash? For instance, does it use .dashrc, like Bash uses .bashrc? Does it have a login and logout script like you can optionally use with Bash?
I know it is typically used as a replacement link for /bin/sh for the express purpose of writing fast, low overhead basic shell scripts highly compatible with the original shell, but lacking the slow, but useful, features found in bash and other login shells.
Pointers to documentation appreciated. If not, perhaps I can find it on one of my partitions where I have dash installed... |
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crouse
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Joined: 17 Apr 2025
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Location: Iowa
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masinick
Linux Guru
Joined: 03 Apr 2025
Posts: 8615
Location: Concord, NH
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| Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2025 8:17 pm Post subject: Need to know script syntax and resource files for dash |
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Thanks! I found those same pages, but not really what I was looking for. I want to find out what features are actually in this shell - and hopefully find a man page. If that last one is their man page, it is terrible. I cannot find any command syntax to speak of.
I am hoping to find out what core commands are included in dash and how you could write some sort of script to clear the screen as part of the logout process. That is EASY in bash because you can write login and logout specific scripts. With dash, I am unsure just how much you get. Do you use .profile to get the stuff you run at login, .dashrc, or something else? Korn Shell uses .profile and .kshrc, Bash uses .profile, .bashrc, and also .bash_login and .bash_logout (unless I am forgetting the exact names). In any event, Bash has what I want, but I think I am going to have to jury rig something to get what I want in dash - I will probably have to say clear;logout or even /usr/bin/clear;logout to get the effect I am looking for. |
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