Advanced Bash−Scripting Guide

# 2) Add options for colored backgrounds.
Advanced Bash−Scripting Guide
There is, however, a major problem with all this. ANSI escape sequences are emphatically
non−portable. What works fine on some terminal emulators (or the console) may work differently, or
not at all, on others. A "colorized" script that looks stunning on the script author's machine may produce
unreadable output on someone else's. This greatly compromises the usefulness of "colorizing" scripts,
and possibly relegates this technique to the status of a gimmick or even a "toy".
Moshe Jacobson's color utility (http://runslinux.net/projects/color) considerably simplifies using ANSI escape
sequences. It substitutes a clean and logical syntax for the clumsy constructs just discussed.
34.6. Optimizations
Most shell scripts are quick 'n dirty solutions to non−complex problems. As such, optimizing them for speed
is not much of an issue. Consider the case, though, where a script carries out an important task, does it well,
but runs too slowly. Rewriting it in a compiled language may not be a palatable option. The simplest fix
would be to rewrite the parts of the script that slow it down. Is it possible to apply principles of code
optimization even to a lowly shell script?
Check the loops in the script. Time consumed by repetitive operations adds up quickly. If at all possible,
remove time−consuming operations from within loops.
Use builtin commands in preference to system commands. Builtins execute faster and usually do not launch a
subshell when invoked.
Avoid unnecessary commands, particularly in a pipe.
cat "$file" | grep "$word"
grep "$word" "$file"
# The above command lines have an identical effect,
#+ but the second runs faster since it launches one fewer subprocess.
The cat command seems especially prone to overuse in scripts.
Use the time and times tools to profile computation−intensive commands. Consider rewriting time−critical
code sections in C, or even in assembler.
Try to minimize file I/O. Bash is not particularly efficient at handling files, so consider using more
appropriate tools for this within the script, such as awk or Perl.
Write your scripts in a structured, coherent form, so they can be reorganized and tightened up as necessary.
Some of the optimization techniques applicable to high−level languages may work for scripts, but others, such
as loop unrolling, are mostly irrelevant. Above all, use common sense.
For an excellent demonstration of how optimization can drastically reduce the execution time of a script, see
Example 12−32.
Chapter 34. Miscellany 346