Essay 1: The Unix Shell

The Unix Shell allows the user to ask the operating system to start and stop processes (both sequentially and concurrently) and read and write files. In this way, the Unix Shell enables the user to interact with all of what our textbook refers to as the Three Easy Pieces of an operating system.

Drawing upon our reading assignments, your experiences implementing the first four projects, and concepts discussed in lecture, write an essay describing the following:

1. Write an introduction in which you name the Three Easy Pieces, giving a 1-2 sentence summary of each.
2. For each piece, describe about how it is addressed by the Unix shell. Give specific examples from your implementations of the first four course projects in support of your description.
3. Write a concluding paragraph in which you summarize what you have learned about operating systems in general at this point in the course.