Javascript interpreter for Linux

Question

Is there a way to run linux commands from javascript that uses a standalone interpreter (something similar with SpiderMonkey, JavaScript shell)?

Answer 1

Rhino offers a JavaScript interpreter written in Java which can be called from the command line. If you need a browser emulator, try Envjs.

Rhino can't execute commands but you can use org.mozilla.javascript.ScriptableObject.defineFunctionProperties() to define a new function which calls some Java code in which you can create a new process using ProcessBuilder

[EDIT] Since JavaScript is an interpreted language, you need an interpreter. For the interpreter to run, you need some other language. Linux doesn't come with one built-in (like it does for shell scripts or similar).

If you need scripting, use Bash or (for more complex scripts) Python.

Answer 2

It's possible to define JS functions that will call your C/C++ functions that could use system() call, executing some linux commands.

• Spider Monkey's way: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript_C_Engine_Embedder's_Guide#Native_functions

• Google V8 is also an option: http://code.google.com/apis/v8/embed.html#accesssors

So you would have

system('rpm -i myapp.rpm');
system('rpm -i myapp2.rpm');

or perhaps

install('myapp.rpm');
install('myapp2.rpm');

Answer 3

You could use NodeJS. It has a child_process module that can run arbitrary commands. E.G. child_process.spawn()

When your script is finished you run it like this:

node myscript.js