So an ENV is a dict string => string with this feature we have a dict that point to functions. Basically it is an object. It could even has been used for passing structured data with their own functional compiler. Or objects with stateless (lambda) functions/methods usable for parallel computing.

Oh fuck, this feature is a wonderfull feature in a controled environment for passing objects/code over a simple octet stream. With safe computer paradigm.

We could have done RPC easily with xinetd + and shell scripts. With PAM we could have even be able to use kerberos to control the security...

I could have done lots of things... I still can ...

Bash I still hate you for not documenting this, and more YOU Advanced Bash Scripting guide for being so awesome and missing that. ABS you failed me. http://www.tldp.org/LDP/abs/html/functions.html