The outer layer of a program that provides the user interface, or way of commanding the computer. The term originally referred to the software that processed the commands typed into the Unix operating system (see command line). For example, the Bourne shell was the original command line processor, and C shell and Korn shell were developed later. In DOS, the default shell was COMMAND.COM (see DOS Shell).
Later, the term was applied to graphical user interfaces (GUIs). For example, the default shell in Windows is Explorer, which provides the Start menu, taskbar and desktop. Alternative shells for Windows are also available. See Explorer, PowerShell, Bourne shell, C shell and Korn shell.
Later, the term was applied to graphical user interfaces (GUIs). For example, the default shell in Windows is Explorer, which provides the Start menu, taskbar and desktop. Alternative shells for Windows are also available. See Explorer, PowerShell, Bourne shell, C shell and Korn shell.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Second iPhone worm behaves like botnet
- A second iPhone exploit has been identified by security vendor F-Secure, which claims the new worm has botnet capability and is more threatening than its predecessor. A second iPhone exploit has been identified by security vendor F-Secure, which claims the new worm has botnet capability and is more threatening...
- News items 2009-11-23
- Jitbit Macro Recorder Lite 4.51 (Windows)
- Record keyboard and mouse actions for later use. Jitbit Macro Recorder LITE is a low cost automation solution to record and play mouse clicks, mouse movements and keyboard strokes. Macro Recorder LITE is quick to configure, very easy to use and is great value for money. Download now and start...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- MyMoney 2.0.49 (Mac)
- My Money is a high quality personal financial software written from ground up to work with online bank statements. Simply download your transactions from bank web site and they are automatically entered into electronic register. By bringing all of your important financial information together in one place, My Money helps...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Inside the Google Chrome OS security model
- The proof will be in implementationAll of these lofty goals are one thing. Making it happen in code is quite another. It sounds like they are just giving a laundry list of what people want them to say. I'm in the "believe it when I see it" camp. Good intentions...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-19
- Amazon slashes price of Palm Pre to $79.99, Pixi to $24.99
- I don't want ......ANY misleading bargain with a two or three year contract. Sell me the HW at a fair price and let me select the carrier and package of my choice.I am not an idiot. RE: Amazon slashes price of Palm Pre to $79.99, Pixi to $24.99When you limit...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-19
- Xshell 3.0 build 0261 (Windows)
- Xshell is a powerful SSH, TELNET, and RLOGIN terminal emulator for Windows platforms. It allows users to gain access to Unix/Linux hosts easily and securely on a Windows workstation. SSH Secure Shell protocol supports encryption and user authentication for secure connections over the Internet, and it replaces legacy protocols such...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Thinking Home 2.2 (Mac)
- Thinking Home is the easiest-to-use, affordable home automation solution for Mac OS X and is now even better! v2.1 boasts a modern design that delivers performance without compromising ease of use. It is the only Mac app to store a schedule into an ActiveHome Pro (CM-15A)! Thinking Home...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Whistler XTR195 Battery-Operated Radar/Laser Detector
- Whistler XTR195I paid just under $50 for the little guy last black Friday at Radio Shack.It was to be used within the city and some highway. Suffice it to say it actually works.Readings and beeping of a 2/3 of a mile proved that it actually was a trap. I generally...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-17
- dataComet-Secure 10.2.0 (Mac)
- dataComet-Secure for OS X offers fast, reliable terminal emulation for local Shell sessions, SSL / TLS Telnet / TN3270, SSH1 & SSH2, and serial devices such as modems Telnet sessions offer Kerberos 5 and SOCKS v4 security options Supports both SSH1 and SSH2 sessions with strong encryption + SCP...
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
- Sanvient 1.0.16 (Windows)
- Sanvient is an effective input support tool that will vastly improve your productivity when you must cut and paste repetitive text. Main features: Paste template texts; Paste template files; Process text using regular expression; Key input automation; Executing shell commands; Executing scripts.
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
- dataComet 10.2.0 (Mac)
- dataComet for Macintosh OS X offers fast, reliable terminal emulation for local Shell sessions, Telnet, and serial devices such as modems Emulates VT100, VT220, VT320, PC-ANSI, SCO-ANSI, and IBM-3278 and IBM-3279 for mainframe access Extensive file transfer support: X/Y/ZModem, IBM IND$FILE Edit windows for off-line composition with easy paste-thru...
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
- Script Timer 2.6.2 (Mac)
- Script Timer lets you schedule AppleScript, perl, and shell scripts, as well as Automator workflows and applications. Scheduling options include specific times of the day, week, month, or year, regular intervals ranging from one second to any number of weeks, when the computer enters or leaves an idle state, just...
- Software downloads 2009-11-16
- Net Transport 2.89 build 502 (Windows)
- NetTransport is fast, exciting, and powerful downloading manager, now supports HTTP/HTTPS, FTP/FTPS over SSL/SFTP over Secure Shell, MMS Microsoft Media Services, RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol), BitTorrent, eMule, RTMP Real Time Messaging Protocol / RTMPT HTTP Tunneling / RTMPS over SSL. NetTransport also have flexible 'File Manager' to manage your downloaded...
- Software downloads 2009-11-16
- Screenshot Captor 2.76.01 (Windows)
- Screenshot Captor is designed for grabbing lots of screenshots with minimal intervention. It has great multimon suport and includes a full image explorer with full shell functionality and unsurpassed integration with external tools like graphic editors or watermarkers. Screenshot Captor also supports unique effects not seen in other capture tools,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-15
- Samsung Mythic SGH-A897 (AT&T)
- Even though AT&T launched its live mobile TV service more than a year ago, but few support it-- the last one we saw was the Samsung Eternity, which was released in October 2008. Now it seems that AT&T may be looking to breathe fresh life to the service by releasing...
- Product reviews 2009-11-14
- Groklaw suggests Microsoft sue, do over authentication
- Are you in any way trying to legitimize patent trolling?You are well aware that what Microsoft is doing is what we all used to call patent trolling aren't you?My guess...Nothing will happen... this is just MS trying to protect UAC and runas from paten lawsuits.Besides MS would be idiot... well...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-13
- Hash & Crypto Detector 1.4 (Windows)
- HCD detects most common Hash & crypto Algorithmes and compilers for PE files. It can currently detect more than 120 different signatures. HCD is special in some aspects when compared to other identifiers already out there. 1. It has a superb GUI and the interface is really intuitive and simple...
- Software downloads 2009-11-13
- Booq Boa Squeeze
- A great laptop backpack has several important qualities: good protection, a comfortable feel, ample storage pockets, and ideally a design that transcends the staid world of computer bags. We may have found the perfect mix with the $100 Booq Boa Squeeze. In a compact frame, the Boa Squeeze has more...
- Product reviews 2009-11-12
- Jpeg Resize 2009.2 (Windows)
- Do you have a large batch of image files that you want, within a few clicks, to share with your friends via e-mail, publish on the Web or send to mobile device? Do you have a large batch of image files that you want to quickly resize? Jpeg Resize helps...
- Software downloads 2009-11-12
- Unboxing Modern Warfare 2's 'Prestige Edition'--photos
- If simply playing the hotly anticipated shooter Modern Warfare 2 isn't enough, you might be tempted to shell out extra for the $149 Prestige Edition of the game (over the typical $59 standalone game disc). by CNET News.com
- Image galleries 2009-11-10
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- The more you simplify, the more you save
-
When you transition from your existing Red Hat environment to SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, you can recognize dramatic cost savings, perhaps as much 50%
- Learn more >>
- Save time with automated shipping solutions
-
The Business Essentials Guide provides you useful tools and templates to help grow your business and save you time with automated shipping solutions.
- Visit the UPS Business Essentials Guide
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- Can your business work smarter? Learn more about Lotus Symphony
- Learn how to work smarter and optimize cost using the IBM Smart SOA approach Download the eBook
- Smarter ways to make smarter products Read the brief from IBM
