cygwin can run console based programs and GUI programs like gvim, xman, and xemacs; But you have to run startx to start graphical system at first. Typically xemacs can run form the text console but gvim and xman need to run from the graphical console.

In order to develop good automated shell scripts you have to learn bash, greb, and sed. Tutorials and references are available over the Internet. I am just studying 🙂