linux shell on windows, any possiblility?

this is sounding very wierd, but just asking.
is there any possiblity for a linux shell to be emulated on windows?

actually we are being taught linux in clg, and class mates are asking for linux distro.
however, i was feeling partitioning and stuff would be too complicated for guys who are yet to know what are HDD's are.
we are being taught basic shell commands, like mkdir, ls etc.

i am thinking at least these can be emulated, although of course we will be needing to switch to linux as we dig deeper into linux.

so are there any emulators?

@Blackleopard92, Boot from a Knoppix Live CD/DVD or any other Linux Live CD/DVD.
And start using Linux straightaway, no need for partitioning or other stuff!!

U can use Damn small Linux tooo, but Knoppix is recommended.

oh yes, i forgot about live CDs

There are emulators available. I use cygwin at my office.

Try Cygwin
*www.cygwin.com/

Yeah.. Cygwin is the way to go..

M

Live CD will be a lot better idea than cygwin IMO unless you are very low on RAM ie. below 256MB. For 256-512MB of RAM you can use something like DSL or slax or puppy.
For 512MB above Knoppix is a nice choice.
If 1GB or more of RAM is there on the system check out Knoppix DVD's there's a lot of things there to try out but some of which will need more resources, particularly while running off a live DVD.

cygwin is boring man.... use knoppix 5.1.1...
btw u can install dsl on a usb drive n give it to ur friends...booting 4m it wd be a lot faster than booting 4m a cd

*damnsmalllinux.org/download.html

i only need cmd line interface, no swanky interface or such.otherwise i would have recommended live cd itself.

B

U can also use vmware for both linux & Windows, to virtually install Linux

i remember i used a software for same purpose on windows..only cmd line interface of linux was available but i do not remember now the name of that/..i got it in digit cd/dvd 2 years ago..if u can search then search..i m telling only that it exists.

u r talking abt cygwin i think

get a floppy based distro use it!for CLI

) like small linux
*lwn.net/Distributions/#floppy

1. Cygwin or UWIN
2. Microsoft's SFU for Windows XP, and SUA for 2003/Vista

AFAIK CYGWIN is the best option...