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Summing Up
In this chapter, we have introduced a common method of program design called top- down design, and we have seen how shell functions are used to build the stepwise refine- ment that it requires. We have also seen how local variables can be used to make shell functions independent from one another and from the program in which they are placed. This makes it possible for shell functions to be written in a portable manner and to be re- usable by allowing them to be placed in multiple programs; a great time saver.