Hell freezes over: Microsoft and Ubuntu bring the Linux Bash shell to Windows 10

In a surprising and unprecedented move, Microsoft and Ubuntu have announced a partnership to bring the Linux Bash shell to Windows 10. This means that Windows users will be able to run native Linux commands and applications on their PCs, without the need for a virtual machine or a dual boot system.

Bash, which stands for Bourne-Again Shell, is a command-line interface widely used by Linux and Unix users. It allows users to interact with the operating system, manipulate files and directories, run scripts and programs, and perform various tasks. Bash is also a powerful programming language that can automate complex operations and customize the user's environment.

Microsoft and Ubuntu say this integration will benefit Windows and Linux developers, who will be able to use the same tools and workflows on different platforms. For example, a web developer using Windows as their primary operating system can now use Bash to run Linux-based web servers, databases, and frameworks on their local machine, without having to switch to another device or operating system. Similarly, a Linux developer who needs to test their code on Windows can now do so without leaving their familiar Bash environment.

The Bash shell in Windows 10 will not be a separate application or emulation layer, but rather a native feature that will run on top of a new subsystem called Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). WSL is a compatibility layer that allows Windows to run Linux binaries natively, translating Linux system calls into Windows system calls. WSL will also provide access to the Windows file system and networking stack, allowing Linux applications to interact with Windows resources.

To enable Bash Shell on Windows 10, users will need to turn on Developer Mode in the Settings app and then install the WSL feature from the Windows Features dialog. After that, they will be able to start Bash from the Start menu or command prompt. The first time they run Bash, they will be prompted to download and install Ubuntu from the Windows Store. Once installed, they will have access to a complete Ubuntu environment, with all the accompanying packages and tools.

Microsoft and Ubuntu They say that this feature is still in beta and that some Linux apps may not work as expected on Windows 10. They also warn that this feature is not intended for production use, but rather for development and testing purposes. They encourage users to provide feedback and report issues through their respective channels.

This announcement marks an important milestone in the history of Microsoft and Linux, which have often been seen as rivals and competitors. Microsoft has been accused of being hostile and aggressive towards Linux in the past, while Linux has been seen as a threat and challenge to Microsoft's dominance in the software industry. However, in recent years, Microsoft has shown a more open and collaborative attitude towards Linux and open source software in general, supporting various projects, publishing some of its own code under open source licenses, and embracing cross-platform development.

Microsoft and Ubuntu hope that this feature will encourage greater innovation and creativity among developers, who will be able to take advantage of the best of both worlds. They also hope that this feature will attract more users to both platforms, offering them more options and flexibility.

One of the most interesting announcements at this year's Microsoft Build conference was the introduction of Bash in Windows 10. Yes, you read that right. Now you can run the powerful and versatile Linux shell natively on your Windows machine, without virtualization or emulation. How cool is that?

This is possible thanks to a collaboration between Microsoft and Canonical, the creators of Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions. They have worked together to bring Ubuntu binaries to Windows 10, meaning you can run any Ubuntu command or program that works with the Linux kernel. This includes Bash, as well as tools like awk, sed, grep, vi, and more.

This is neither a stripped down version of Bash nor a compatibility layer like Cygwin. This is the real deal. You can access your Windows file system from within Bash and can use the same commands and scripts that you would use on a Linux machine. You can even install Linux software using apt-get, Ubuntu's package manager.

This is of great importance for developers, especially those working with open source technologies or cross-platform applications. Now you can use the same tools and workflows you're familiar with on Linux, without having to switch between operating systems or use a separate terminal application. You can also take advantage of the power and flexibility of Bash to automate tasks, manipulate files, and customize your environment.

Microsoft has been embracing open source and Linux in a big way lately, as evidenced by its support for SQL Server and Visual Studio on Linux, and its partnership with Red Hat for Azure services. By bringing Bash to Windows 10, Microsoft shows that it is serious about reaching developers where they are and giving them the best tools for their needs.

If you want to try Bash on Windows 10, you'll need to be part of the Windows Insider program and install the latest preview version. You will also need to enable developer mode and activate the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature. You can then open a command prompt and type "bash" to get started. For more details and instructions, see this blog post by Scott Hanselman, a Microsoft employee who demonstrated Bash on Windows 10 at Build.