wrapperscript

A wrapper script, also referred to as a wrapperscript, is a script that encapsulates the execution of another program or set of commands. It provides a uniform interface, adds pre- or post-processing, and can manage environment setup, input validation, and error handling. It is widely used to simplify complex workflows, enforce conventions, or integrate external tools into automation.

Common characteristics include argument normalization, logging, retry logic, and output capture. Wrapper scripts may invoke a target program directly or use a middle layer that discovers tools or selects variants. They often reside in a tooling or build system, continuous integration pipelines, or system administration tasks.

Implementation spans shell scripting (bash, sh), batch files on Windows, and higher-level languages such as Python or Ruby. They typically parse input arguments, determine the actual executable path, set environment variables, and propagate exit statuses to the caller. Transfer of stdout and stderr may be redirected or captured for reporting.

Examples and caveats: A wrapper script may standardize invocation of a compiler across platforms, provide a safe default configuration, or enforce security checks. However, wrappers add maintenance overhead, can obscure real errors, and may incur small performance overheads. Good practices include clear documentation, minimal side effects, and transparent logging.