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Dueling Consoles—Working in Both Windows and GNU/Linux

© Copyright Darrell Anderson.

Like many people I spend computer time in both Windows and GNU/Linux. I also spend sufficient time in console mode when using both platforms. Unfortunately, the commands used in either world are not the same and occasionally I type a command usable in one operating system but not the other. With only a nominal amount of effort I reduced the disruption caused by these mind burps. I used aliases.

Create a command alias in GNU/Linux with the obvious command called alias. Create a command alias in Windows with the not-so-obvious doskey command.

As the sole user of my computer boxes I store my GNU/Linux aliases in /etc/bashrc. However, users who do not possess access to modifying global configuration files can just as easily store their aliases in $HOME/.bashrc. My short list looks like this:

alias cls="clear"
alias copy="cp -i"
alias cp="cp -i"
alias ifconfig="ifconfig -a"
alias mc="mc -d"
alias md="mkdir"
alias mv="mv -i"
alias lo="logout"
alias ping="ping -c 3"
alias rm="rm -i"
alias sd="shutdown -h now"
alias vi="vim"
alias x="exit"

In Windows I configured a doskey batch file that is invoked whenever I open a DOS shell. My short list looks like this:

doskey e=edit
doskey x=exit
doskey d=dir $1
doskey ls=dir $1
doskey alias=doskey /m
doskey cat=type $1
doskey cp=copy $1 $2
doskey top=pmon
doskey ifconfig=ipconfig /all

Just another tip toward working a wee bit more efficiently and with less frustration!

Finis.

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