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A shell script is a sequence of Unix (i.e. shell) commands packaged in an ordinary text file. To get started with shell scripts, all you need is a text editor and some knowledge of Unix commands. If you already run Voyager batch jobs from the command line, you're halfway there!
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There are a variety of Unix shells. The three most common are the bourne, korn and C shells. Some Unix commands are specific to a particular shell and each shell varies slightly as to syntax.
A Perl script is a sequence of Perl commands packaged in an ordinary text file. Perl is not native to Unix. To run Perl scripts, Perl must be installed on your server by the system administrator (or Endeavor).
Perl will probably not be your first choice for automating routine Voyager jobs. However there may be tasks or operations that can be done with Perl, that would be difficult or impossible using shell commands.
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Perl is also a natural for CGI progamming and with the DBI/DBD modules can be used to create middleware between a database and the Web.
How is a script different from a computer program?
A script is a computer program. The term script generally refers to a program that is written in a language that is interpreted (translated on the fly) rather than compiled. The shell is the interpreter of Unix commands. The terms script and program may be used interchangeably to refer to what is being discussed today.
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