NAME

shell - execute shell command

SYNOPSIS

shell [[( ]StrExpr[ )]]

DESCRIPTION

The shell statement executes a command with the UNIX shell.  StrExpr is a valid UNIX shell command.  The command is executed as if it were typed at the terminal using the UNIX shell sh.  If the shell statement is executed without a StrExpr, an interactive UNIX shell is created and commands are read from the terminal. 

The shell is executed in the foreground.  This function does not return until the shell completes execution. 

EXAMPLE

The shell statement is used in the following example to create a directory called “stuff.”

	shell ("mkdir stuff")

The shell statement is used in the following example to create an interactive shell. 

	print "this is the BASIC program"
	print "creating a shell..."
	shell
	print "...returning from shell"
	print "ending the BASIC program"

When executed, the output might look like this:

	this is the BASIC program
	creating a shell...
	$ pwd
	/usr/basic
	$ exit
	...returning from shell
	ending the BASIC program

from The Basmark QuickBASIC Programmer’s Manual by Lawrence Leinweber