How does Configuration management compare to shell scripts?

Configuration management and shell scripts serve different purposes in the realm of system administration and DevOps. Configuration management tools (like Ansible, Puppet, Chef) automate the deployment, configuration, and management of servers and applications, ensuring that systems are configured consistently and correctly. In contrast, shell scripts are simple scripts written in shell languages (like Bash) to automate repetitive tasks manually or trigger specific commands on a system.

While configuration management tools provide a more structured and scalable approach, especially for larger environments, shell scripts can be quicker to write and run for simple tasks. The choice between using configuration management and shell scripts typically depends on the complexity of the tasks, the environment size, and the need for maintainability.