nushell/crates/nu-std/README.md
Stefan Holderbach 95b78eee25
Change the usage misnomer to "description" (#13598)
# Description
    
The meaning of the word usage is specific to describing how a command
function is *used* and not a synonym for general description. Usage can
be used to describe the SYNOPSIS or EXAMPLES sections of a man page
where the permitted argument combinations are shown or example *uses*
are given.
Let's not confuse people and call it what it is a description.

Our `help` command already creates its own *Usage* section based on the
available arguments and doesn't refer to the description with usage.

# User-Facing Changes

`help commands` and `scope commands` will now use `description` or
`extra_description`
`usage`-> `description`
`extra_usage` -> `extra_description`

Breaking change in the plugin protocol:

In the signature record communicated with the engine.
`usage`-> `description`
`extra_usage` -> `extra_description`

The same rename also takes place for the methods on
`SimplePluginCommand` and `PluginCommand`

# Tests + Formatting
- Updated plugin protocol specific changes
# After Submitting
- [ ] update plugin protocol doc
2024-08-22 12:02:08 +02:00

48 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown

<h1 align="center">
Welcome to the standard library of `nushell`!
<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/hvRJCLFzcasrR4ia7z/giphy.gif" width="28"></img>
</h1>
The standard library is a pure-`nushell` collection of custom commands which
provide interactive utilities and building blocks for users writing casual scripts or complex applications.
To see what's here:
```text
> use std
> scope commands | select name description | where name =~ "std "
#┬───────────name────────────┬───────────────────description───────────────────
0│std assert │Universal assert command
1│std assert equal │Assert $left == $right
2│std assert error │Assert that executing the code generates an error
3│std assert greater │Assert $left > $right
4│std assert greater or equal│Assert $left >= $right
... ...
─┴───────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────────
```
## :toolbox: Using the standard library in the REPL or in scripts
All commands in the standard library must be "imported" into the running environment
(the interactive read-execute-print-loop (REPL) or a `.nu` script) using the
[`use`](https://nushell.sh/commands/docs/use.html) command.
You can choose to import the whole module, but then must refer to individual commands with a `std` prefix, e.g:
```nushell
use std
std log debug "Running now"
std assert (1 == 2)
```
Or you can enumerate the specific commands you want to import and invoke them without the `std` prefix.
```nushell
use std ["log debug" assert]
log debug "Running again"
assert (2 == 1)
```
This is probably the form of import you'll want to add to your `env.nu` for interactive use.
## :pencil2: contribute to the standard library
You're invited to contribute to the standard library! See [CONTRIBUTING.md] for details
[CONTRIBUTING.md]: https://github.com/nushell/nushell/blob/main/crates/nu-std/CONTRIBUTING.md