symbolic links, aliases, cls clear

[Chris F.A. Johnson]

On 2006-03-29, mp wrote:
> i have a python program which attempts to call 'cls' but fails:
>
> sh: line 1: cls: command not found
>
> i tried creating an alias from cls to clear in .profile, .cshrc, and
> /etc/profile, but none of these options seem to work.

   Why not call 'clear', since 'cls' does not exist?

> my conclusion is that a python program that is executing does not use
> the shell (because it does not recognize shell aliases). is this
> correct?

   Even shell scripts do not normally expand aliases.

> should i use a symbolic link? if so, where should i place it?
>
> what is the difference between aliases and symbolic links?

   What's the difference between a raven and a writing desk?

> if i execute a command like 'clear' to clear the screen, where does the
> shell look to find the command 'clear'?

   In a directory listed in the PATH variable.

-- 
   Chris F.A. Johnson, author   |    <http://cfaj.freeshell.org>
   Shell Scripting Recipes:     |  My code in this post, if any,
   A Problem-Solution Approach  |          is released under the
   2005, Apress                 |     GNU General Public Licence