[npteljes]

Here is the usage of arcane that I think is apt when talking about shell scripting:

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/arcane

" known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric "

And as an example for something arcane, the Sanskrit language is brought up. I think this is a perfect example to compare with shell scripting. Sanskrit is from an era where it was more common, but nowadays it's usage is more of a specialty. The rules are understood and public, easily accessible technically, but it's hard work to get good at it. Since it has a long history, it has many variants, both over time, and depending on locality. There is a kind of common form of it that people can use for everyday matters, that is much easier than knowing all of the rules and cases.

I think it's a good argument that shell scripting is arcane, even by investigating the definition of it. Not to mention that in the original post, it was just postulated that shell scripting is a bit weird, and maybe not the best tool for the job, a kind of a lighthearted jab at the language, and at the practices people sometimes do.

[DEADMINCE]

Shell scripting is not "known or understood by very few", it's widely understood by a great many people. It's one of the most common programming languages. It is by definition not arcane. It simply can't be with how widespread and popular it is.

The comparison with Sanskrit doesn't make sense, given shell scripting is still in wide use currently.

It's fine to think shell scripting is a bit weird, but it's just absolutely and unambiguous wrong to say it is arcane, especially by the definition.