¯\(°_o)/¯

while read time
do
  if [[ $(grep -r ";_;" ~/*) == "" ]]
  then
    like=0
  fi
done < <(cat this)
if [[ $like != "0" ]]
then like(this)
fi

>>2
What's the best looking shell syntax?

sh is mediocre for programming, but excellent for interactive use. You deal with programs and files and glue them together. When control flow becomes even slightly complicated, you should reconsider whether to use another language or not.

>>3
Bourne shell was made by one person, with feedback from the UNIX creators, way before open source.

>>4
Exactly, UNIX is very pragmatic.