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Shell and Kernel Flow

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Overview

This diagram illustrates the fundamental three-layer architecture of command processing in Linux systems. Understanding this flow is essential for grasping how user interactions translate into actual system operations.

Workflow Steps

  1. You (User) - The user types commands at the terminal prompt
  2. Shell - The shell program (bash, zsh, etc.) interprets the command, parses arguments, and translates it into system calls
  3. Kernel - The Linux kernel receives the system calls and performs the actual work, interacting with hardware and managing resources

Key Concepts

  • Command Line Interface (CLI) - The text-based interface where users type commands
  • Shell Interpretation - The shell parses commands, expands variables, handles pipes and redirects
  • System Calls - The interface between user-space programs and the kernel
  • Kernel Operations - Low-level operations including file I/O, process management, and hardware interaction

Learning Objectives

After studying this diagram, students should be able to:

  1. Identify the three main components involved in command processing
  2. Explain the role of the shell as an intermediary
  3. Describe why the kernel handles the "actual work"
  4. Understand the separation between user space and kernel space