Stories with Tag Excel

• Linux in Excel

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  Posted: 2025-04-30 03:08:46

  Verbose tl;dr

  Linux in Excel demonstrates running a basic Linux system within a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Leveraging VBA scripting and x86 emulation, the project allows users to interact with a simplified Linux environment, complete with a command line interface, directly within Excel. It emulates a small subset of Linux system calls, enabling basic commands like ls, cat, and file manipulation within the spreadsheet's cells. While highly constrained and not a practical Linux replacement, it serves as a fascinating proof-of-concept, showcasing the flexibility of both VBA and the underlying architecture of Excel.

  This GitHub repository, titled "Linux in Excel," showcases a remarkably unconventional and intriguing project: the emulation of a simplified Linux environment entirely within Microsoft Excel. Leveraging the power of VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), the creator has implemented core Linux functionalities within a spreadsheet. This includes a file system, a command-line interface, and even the ability to execute basic commands.

  The system operates by utilizing Excel cells as the storage medium for both the file system data and the simulated Linux system's state. User interaction occurs through a designated input cell, mimicking a traditional command-line terminal. When a command is entered, the VBA code parses and interprets the command, then performs the corresponding action. Results and output are dynamically displayed in other designated cells within the spreadsheet, providing visual feedback to the user.

  While the implemented Linux environment is demonstrably simplified, offering only a subset of the commands and functionalities found in a full Linux distribution, it demonstrates a surprising level of complexity. The project includes the ability to navigate a hierarchical file system, create and delete files and directories, display file contents, and even execute simple programs written in a custom scripting language interpreted by the VBA code. This scripting language allows for basic logic and operations, further enhancing the illusion of a functioning operating system within Excel.

  The core innovation lies in the creative use of Excel's inherent capabilities, transforming a primarily data-centric application into a platform for system emulation. The VBA code acts as the kernel, managing the file system, interpreting commands, and executing scripts. The spreadsheet interface itself serves as both the input/output mechanism and the persistent storage for the simulated Linux system. This unconventional approach highlights the flexibility and power of VBA scripting within Excel, showcasing its potential beyond typical spreadsheet applications. While not intended for practical use in a real-world scenario, the "Linux in Excel" project stands as a fascinating example of creative coding and a testament to the versatility of seemingly commonplace software tools.

  • Linux
  • Excel
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Integration
  • spreadsheet
  • bash
  • shell
  • command-line
  • WSL
  • Windows Subsystem for Linux
  • Automation
  • scripting
  • Open Source
  • productivity
  • Data Analysis
  • VBA
  • Visual Basic for Applications
  • XLWings
  • PyXLL

  Summary of Comments ( 46 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43840861

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users expressed both amusement and skepticism towards running Linux in Excel. Several commenters questioned the practicality and performance of such a setup, with some suggesting it's more of a novelty than a useful tool. Others were impressed by the technical feat, appreciating the ingenuity and creativity involved. Some discussed the potential for misuse, particularly in bypassing corporate security measures. There was also debate on whether this qualified as truly "running Linux," with some arguing it was merely simulating a limited environment. A few pointed out the historical precedent of running Doom in unexpected places, placing this project in a similar category of playful hacking.

  The Hacker News post titled "Linux in Excel" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43840861) sparked a variety of comments, mostly expressing amusement and mild interest in the novelty of running a Linux distribution within Microsoft Excel.

  Several commenters admired the technical ingenuity involved, highlighting the unexpected capability of Excel's VBA scripting capabilities and its potential for unconventional uses. They acknowledged the creativity and the "why not?" attitude behind the project. The sentiment that it was a fun and quirky hack was prevalent.

  Some commenters expressed skepticism about its practicality and questioned the real-world use cases. The limitations of the emulated environment and its performance constraints were pointed out, with some suggesting that running a virtual machine directly would be a more efficient approach. The overall consensus seemed to be that it was more of a proof-of-concept than a genuinely useful tool.

  A few commenters delved into the technical details, discussing the specifics of the implementation and its limitations. They mentioned the role of x86 emulation and speculated on potential improvements. One commenter even linked to a similar project involving running Doom within Excel, further illustrating the surprising flexibility of the spreadsheet software.

  The humor inherent in running a full operating system within a spreadsheet application wasn't lost on the commenters, with jokes and playful remarks scattered throughout the discussion. The general tone was lighthearted and appreciative of the novelty.

  Notably, the discussion didn't devolve into lengthy debates or controversies. The comments remained relatively concise and focused on the project's technical aspects and its curious nature. There wasn't a significant amount of back-and-forth between users; most comments stood as individual observations or reactions. The overarching theme was one of intrigued amusement and admiration for the creator's ingenuity.

• xlskubectl – a spreadsheet to control your Kubernetes cluster

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  Posted: 2025-03-13 01:12:56

  Verbose tl;dr

  xlskubectl is a tool that allows users to manage their Kubernetes clusters using a spreadsheet interface. It translates spreadsheet operations like adding, deleting, and modifying rows into corresponding kubectl commands. This simplifies Kubernetes management for those more comfortable with spreadsheets than command-line interfaces, enabling easier editing and visualization of resources. The tool supports various Kubernetes resource types and provides features like filtering and sorting data within the spreadsheet view. This allows for a more intuitive and accessible way to interact with and control a Kubernetes cluster, particularly for tasks like bulk updates or quickly reviewing resource configurations.

  The GitHub repository "xlskubectl" introduces a novel approach to Kubernetes cluster management using a familiar interface: spreadsheets. It offers a command-line tool, xlskubectl, that bridges the gap between the complexity of kubectl commands and the simplicity of spreadsheet manipulation. Users can define Kubernetes resources directly within a spreadsheet, leveraging the intuitive nature of rows and columns to represent resource configurations. This simplifies the process of creating, updating, and deleting resources, especially for those less comfortable with command-line interfaces or YAML files.

  The tool supports a variety of spreadsheet formats, including XLSX, CSV, and TSV, offering flexibility in how users interact with their cluster. xlskubectl translates the spreadsheet data into valid Kubernetes YAML configurations, then applies these configurations to the cluster using the standard kubectl command. This means users don't have to learn complex YAML syntax or memorize numerous kubectl commands. They can instead manage their deployments, services, and other resources directly from the spreadsheet environment.

  Key features of xlskubectl include the ability to perform common Kubernetes operations such as applying, getting, and deleting resources, all driven by the spreadsheet data. It supports different spreadsheet formats for input and output, and offers options to customize the behavior of the tool, like specifying the namespace or target context for the operations. The tool aims to improve the accessibility of Kubernetes management, potentially reducing the learning curve and streamlining workflows for both beginners and experienced users who prefer a more visual and structured approach to configuration. It essentially provides a user-friendly abstraction layer on top of kubectl, enabling management through a more widely accessible interface. The project is open-source, encouraging community contributions and further development of this spreadsheet-driven Kubernetes management paradigm.

  • Kubernetes
  • kubectl
  • spreadsheet
  • Excel
  • cli
  • Cluster Management
  • DevOps
  • Tooling
  • Open Source
  • GitHub

  Summary of Comments ( 50 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43349426

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters generally expressed skepticism and concern about managing Kubernetes clusters via a spreadsheet interface. Several questioned the practicality and safety of such a tool, highlighting the potential for accidental misconfigurations and the difficulty of tracking changes in a spreadsheet format. Some suggested that existing Kubernetes tools, like kubectl, already provide sufficient functionality and that a spreadsheet adds unnecessary complexity. Others pointed out the lack of features like diffing and rollback, which are crucial for managing infrastructure. While a few saw potential niche uses, such as demos or educational purposes, the prevailing sentiment was that xlskubectl is not a suitable solution for real-world Kubernetes management. A common suggestion was to use a proper GitOps approach for managing Kubernetes deployments.

  The Hacker News post for xlskubectl generated a moderate amount of discussion, with several commenters expressing various perspectives on the tool and its utility.

  A significant number of comments focused on the perceived impracticality and potential risks of managing Kubernetes clusters through a spreadsheet interface. Commenters highlighted the inherent complexity of Kubernetes and argued that abstracting it through a spreadsheet could mask important details and lead to errors. Concerns were raised about the difficulty of managing complex deployments, handling updates, and troubleshooting issues when using such an abstraction. Some users expressed skepticism about the tool's long-term viability and maintainability, suggesting that it might become a burden as cluster complexity grows.

  Several commenters drew parallels to other tools and technologies, comparing xlskubectl to systems like Excel used for financial modeling or infrastructure automation tools like Terraform. The discussion touched upon the trade-offs between simplicity and control, with some suggesting that while a spreadsheet interface might be appealing for simple tasks, it lacks the robustness and flexibility of dedicated Kubernetes management tools.

  Some commenters questioned the target audience for xlskubectl, wondering who would benefit from this approach. Speculation arose about potential use cases, such as educational purposes or managing extremely small, simple clusters. However, there was a general consensus that for production environments or complex deployments, established Kubernetes management tools would be preferable.

  A few commenters offered alternative approaches, suggesting tools like Pulumi or Crossplane, which allow for infrastructure management using general-purpose programming languages. These were presented as more powerful and flexible solutions compared to a spreadsheet-based approach.

  While the initial post highlighted the potential benefits of xlskubectl, the comments generally reflected a cautious and skeptical view, raising concerns about its practicality, scalability, and overall suitability for managing Kubernetes clusters in real-world scenarios. The discussion provided valuable insights into the challenges and considerations involved in abstracting complex systems like Kubernetes and highlighted the importance of choosing the right tools for the job.