Writing JS-based Bash scripts with zx

The article introduces the zx project, which allows developers to write Bash-like scripts using JavaScript, providing a more developer-friendly environment compared to traditional Bash scripting. While Bash is a powerful command language used for automating tasks, it lacks certain programming features like object-oriented programming and built-in data manipulation methods, often requiring the integration of other languages like Python or Node.js for complex tasks. zx addresses these limitations by offering JavaScript-based shell scripting with inbuilt wrapper functions for Node.js packages, enabling asynchronous operations and reducing the need for separate processes. The article explains how zx scripts can be created and executed, highlighting its ability to handle user inputs, command-line arguments, network requests, and command pipelines efficiently. Despite its advantages, zx is not a replacement for Bash but rather a tool that works on top of it to simplify scripting tasks. It also supports TypeScript, offering flexibility for developers to incorporate zx in their projects while maintaining a familiar shell-scripting feel.