i need to write some scripts: 1- that get dir from arg and save to file. 2 - get 2 dirs from args, compare, report if equal. 3- Compare logged-in users to users list in file -> report “problems”

I use Perl for all of these types of requirements. The core Perl libraries are usually on all Linux and UNIX system because part of the standard OS uses Perl. The scripts to do what you describe are very short in Perl. You can execute Bourne script commands from Perl as well, if you are shell script literate already. Perl has syntax compatibility with many systems. So you can probably code like you are used to or close to it. A good starting point is the site perldoc.perl.org. There are intros, tutorials, and language reference links there. Type perldoc perl on your system to get some basic help. If you want to develop on Windows and deploy on Linux/UNIX the best site is www.activestate.com. Download the Free Komodo editor and use it. A Great feature for developers new to Perl is the background interpreter checking. If is like an advanced intellisense feature. I use Komodo daily. Komodo's help also has a very comprehensive Perl documentation interface. If you are a developer in other languages, Komodo supports dozens of other popular languages as well. They are a great group of open source oriented people in Vancouver, BC. No, I do not work for them. I just appreciate their efforts. Web Developer