[agentdrek]

It should be a lesson to learn on how simple, logical and reliable tools can last decades.

[bool3max]

… Or how hard it is to replace archaic software that’s extremely prevalent.

[phailhaus]

Bash syntax is anything but simple or logical. Just look at the insane if-statement syntax. Or how the choice of quotes fundamentally changes behavior. Argument parsing, looping, the list goes on.

[akdev1l]

if statements are pretty simple

if $command; then <thing> else <thing> fi

You may be complaining about the syntax for the test command specifically or bash’s [[ builtin

Also the choice of quotes changing behavior is a thing in:

1. JavaScript/typescript 2. Python 3. C/C++ 4. Rust

In some cases it’s the same difference, eg: string interpolation in JavaScript with backticks

[Steltek]

You could make a list of WTFs about any language.

Bash syntax is the pinnacle of Chesterton's Fence. If you can't articulate why it was done that way, you have no right to remove it. Python would be an absolutely unusable shell language.

[Towaway69]

Are taxes simple?

Why does Bash syntax have to be "simple"? For me, Bash syntax is simple.

[crazygringo]

It's more like how the need for backwards compatibility prevents bad interfaces from ever getting improved.