Difference Between Shell Script and Shell Function

A shell script is a script written in a shell programming language that executes a sequence of commands. It is saved in a file and can be executed by the shell interpreter. On the other hand, a shell function is a set of commands grouped together within a script or directly within the shell environment. Functions are defined using the syntax "function_name() {}" and can be called within a script or directly in the shell.

While both shell scripts and shell functions are used to automate tasks and execute commands in the shell environment, the main difference lies in their usage and structure. Shell scripts are standalone scripts saved in files, whereas shell functions are reusable code snippets that can be called multiple times within a script.

In summary, a shell script is a standalone executable file, while a shell function is a set of commands grouped together for reusability within a script or directly in the shell environment.