[dyanaraps]

> Do you believe bash / POSIX shells actually follow KISS principles?

POSIX `sh` yes. `bash` less so but I'd still lean more towards a yes.

Ultimately though, it depends on how we define "simple". Both `bash` (2.6MB) and POSIX `sh` shells (`dash` (232KB), `ash` (1.2MB (busybox)), etc) are tiny in size if we compare them to Python (137MB) or Perl (44MB).

(Numbers taken from my system using `du` on each file which belongs to each shell/language.)

If we define "simple" to language features then I think the shells come out on top again (especially POSIX `sh`).

If we define "simple" as ease of use (without shooting yourself in the foot) then I'd agree with you and say that the shell loses here.

There's a time and place for using any tool (in production) but I find it fun to push the shell beyond what is thought possible in my personal projects. :)

[lenkite]

Shell scripts also win "simple" in ease of deployment. (well assuming the author has paid attention to platform differences)