>It would be untenable to save all command line history since I spend every day in the shell in textmode (not x11) and only occasionally switch to a graphical environment
I don't understand this remark. What has x11 got to do with shell history? My bash appends all commands to .bash_history, immediately, regardless of whether it's run inside a terminal emulator or a VT.
Context switching between textmode and a graphics layer, like x11, is IME time-consuming and relatively janky. Whereas switching from a "terminal window" to some graphical program in a graphical environment like x11 is very quick and relatively smooth. Because I prefer textmode, I stay in textmode and I am not switching to a graphical environment very often, if at all. I am not using graphical programs. Consequently I accumulate an inordinate amount of command line history. Too much to save, IMHO.
As I mentioned, I do not use bash, I use a smaller, faster shell. I have no ".bash_history". And sometimes I use even smaller shells that have no command line history, in order to reduce program size.
I think they were implying that they generate a lot at the CLI, because they gots no GUI. Their whole day of computing would be pushing into a history file whereas most folk gotta lotta clickin’ happening too.
Might be wrong though.
I don't understand this remark. What has x11 got to do with shell history? My bash appends all commands to .bash_history, immediately, regardless of whether it's run inside a terminal emulator or a VT.