Most Mac Terminal commands posted online are actually simple commands that just change a preference for an app or part of macOS. When you use a command like "defaults write" all it is doing is editing a small preference file in your user Library folder. Take a look at what actually is changed.
Comments: 3 Responses to “What Do Terminal Commands Actually Do?”
Joss
6 years ago
The important thing is not the command itself, but the ability to combine these commands, i.e. use built-in Unix programs, in a shell script, so you can automate tasks, perform complex operations, implement other people's solutions. You can integrate it into the GUI using Automator (Service/Workflow) or BitBar, or direct shell scripts in file managers that support it, e.g. Nimble Commander. Most Mac users fear the command line, but in reality the command line is the best friend you'll ever have.
The important thing is not the command itself, but the ability to combine these commands, i.e. use built-in Unix programs, in a shell script, so you can automate tasks, perform complex operations, implement other people's solutions. You can integrate it into the GUI using Automator (Service/Workflow) or BitBar, or direct shell scripts in file managers that support it, e.g. Nimble Commander. Most Mac users fear the command line, but in reality the command line is the best friend you'll ever have.
Thank you Gary, very interesting!
... and very well explained!