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Introduction to Bash Shell Scripting

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Kerri-Leigh Grady

Kerri-Leigh Grady

This course will help those new to shells and shell scripting to build a foundation with the Bash shell. We'll learn several Bash shell commands that will allow you to navigate and use the shell for everyday tasks. We will also write a Bash shell script that will back up a directory and email the compressed file, a culmination of all the commands we’ll cover. We will cover:

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This course will help those new to shells and shell scripting to build a foundation with the Bash shell. We'll learn several Bash shell commands that will allow you to navigate and use the shell for everyday tasks. We will also write a Bash shell script that will back up a directory and email the compressed file, a culmination of all the commands we’ll cover. We will cover:

Not only will you gain the knowledge to customize your system, you will have a solid foundation to expand what you can do with Bash on the command line and in scripts. This beginner-level guided project is perfect for those who have an interest in learning to use a Linux or Unix operating system, whether to gain new skills in IT or software development, or to use an alternative to commercial, proprietary software. Those with no experience in IT, software development, cybersecurity, and more can start here and build on necessary skills for future training and employment.

Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the North America region. We’re currently working on providing the same experience in other regions.

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces learners to Bash shell scripting, providing a foundation for navigating and using the shell

Enables learners to write Bash shell scripts to automate tasks, such as backing up directories and emailing compressed files

Builds a solid foundation in Bash, allowing learners to expand their knowledge and skills in shell scripting

Provides an accessible entry point for those with no experience in IT or software development who seek to learn Bash

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Reviews summary

Practical bash scripting for beginners

According to students, this course is a highly effective introduction to Bash shell scripting, particularly praised for being ideal for absolute beginners. The instructor's clear explanations and appropriate pace are frequently highlighted. A standout feature is the incredibly practical hands-on backup script project, which solidifies understanding of key concepts. While it offers a strong foundational learning experience, some learners with prior experience found the content too elementary, suggesting the course could benefit from more advanced topics like error handling.

Some wished for deeper coverage of advanced concepts.

"I felt it could have delved a bit deeper into error handling and more advanced regular expressions."

"I would suggest adding more complex scenarios for scripting as the backup script is quite basic. Maybe add some debugging tips too."

"I was hoping for more depth... it barely scratches the surface."

Content is delivered at a suitable pace for understanding.

"The instructor explained everything clearly and at a good pace for beginners. Highly recommend..."

"The pace was just right and the assignments were engaging."

"The examples were very clear and the project ties everything together brilliantly. I particularly found the explanations... easy to grasp."

Hands-on project effectively applies learned concepts.

"The hands-on project of creating a backup script was incredibly practical and cemented my understanding of concepts..."

"The guided project format really works for learning Bash. I appreciated the clear instructions and the practical application of the concepts."

"The backup script project was a great way to put everything together."

Perfectly suited for those new to the command line.

"Absolutely perfect for a complete beginner! I had zero experience with the command line and this course broke it down step-by-step."

"Good course for absolute beginners. I found the practical exercises helpful."

"This course was a fantastic introduction to Bash scripting! ... The instructor explained everything clearly and at a good pace for beginners."

May be too basic if you have prior terminal experience.

"While it covers the basics, I found some of the explanations a bit too superficial for my liking. I already had some basic terminal knowledge..."

"Honestly, I was hoping for more depth. I understand it's an 'introduction,' but it barely scratches the surface."

"If you already know `cd`, `ls`, `mkdir`, etc., this will be too elementary. I finished it quickly but didn't gain much new knowledge."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Bash Shell Scripting with these activities:

Create a Cheat Sheet of Bash Shell Commands

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Solidify your understanding of Bash Shell commands by creating a reference tool.

Browse courses on Bash

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Gather a list of Bash Shell commands.
Organize the commands into categories.
Create a cheat sheet in your preferred format (e.g., PDF, text file, etc.).

Create a Repository for Your Bash Shell Scripting Resources

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Organize your notes, assignments, and other resources for easy reference.

Browse courses on Bash

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Choose a repository platform (e.g., GitHub, GitLab).
Create a new repository.
Add your resources to the repository.
Share your repository with others.

Learn Bash Shell Scripting with TutorialsPoint

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Reinforce your understanding of the Bash Shell with additional guided lessons.

Browse courses on Bash

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Visit the TutorialsPoint website.
Find the Bash tutorial.
Follow the tutorials in order.
Complete the exercises at the end of each tutorial.

Five other activities

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Practice Bash Shell Commands on HackerRank

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Sharpen your Bash Shell skills through repetitive exercises.

Browse courses on Bash

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Create an account on HackerRank.
Find the Bash practice problems.
Solve the problems in order of difficulty.
Review your solutions and learn from your mistakes.

Join a Study Group for Bash Shell Scripting

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Connect with other learners and enhance your understanding through collaboration.

Browse courses on Bash

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Find a study group or create your own.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material.
Work together on projects and assignments.
Provide support and encouragement to each other.

Mastering Linux Shell Scripting

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Review important concepts and techniques covered in the course from another source.

View CompTIA Linux+ Study Guide: Exam XK0-005 (Sybex... on Amazon

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Find a quiet place to read.
Read the book from cover to cover.
Take notes as you read.
Summarize each chapter in your own words.

Build a Bash Shell Script to Automate a Task

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Put your Bash Shell skills to work by building a practical tool.

Browse courses on Bash

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Identify a task that you want to automate.
Break down the task into smaller steps.
Write a Bash Shell script to implement each step.
Test and debug your script.
Deploy your script and schedule it to run automatically.

Develop a Presentation on Bash Shell Scripting

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Deepen your understanding of Bash Shell scripting by presenting it to others.

Browse courses on Bash

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Create a presentation outline.
Gather your materials (e.g., slides, handouts).
Practice your presentation.
Deliver your presentation to a group.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Bash Shell Scripting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications, utilizing their knowledge of computer programming languages and software development tools. This course will help you build a solid foundation in the Bash shell, a command-line interface used in Unix-based operating systems, which is essential for software development and system administration. By learning how to navigate and use the shell, as well as how to write Bash shell scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your software engineering toolkit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers bridge the gap between software development and IT operations, ensuring a smooth and efficient software delivery process. This course will provide you with a solid foundation in the Bash shell, which is widely used in DevOps environments for automating tasks, managing infrastructure, and troubleshooting issues. You'll learn how to use Bash commands and write scripts to streamline your DevOps processes, making you a more effective DevOps Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators are responsible for maintaining and managing computer systems, including servers, networks, and operating systems. This course will help you build a strong foundation in the Bash shell, which is essential for system administration tasks such as user management, file system management, and system monitoring. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can make you a more effective Systems Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

IT Support Specialist

IT Support Specialists provide technical assistance to users, resolving computer hardware and software issues. This course will help you build a foundation in the Bash shell, which is often used by IT Support Specialists to troubleshoot issues, manage user accounts, and automate tasks. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your IT support capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Support Specialist

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications, using programming languages and web development tools. This course will help you build a foundation in the Bash shell, which is often used by Web Developers for automating tasks, managing web servers, and troubleshooting issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your web development workflow.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to extract meaningful insights. This course will help you build a foundation in the Bash shell, which is often used by Data Analysts for automating data processing tasks, managing data pipelines, and troubleshooting data issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your data analysis workflow.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer networks, ensuring reliable and secure network connectivity. This course will help you build a foundation in the Bash shell, which is often used by Network Engineers for automating network configuration tasks, managing network devices, and troubleshooting network issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your network engineering capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Security Analyst

Security Analysts identify, assess, and mitigate security risks to protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access and attacks. This course will help you build a foundation in the Bash shell, which is often used by Security Analysts for automating security tasks, managing security tools, and troubleshooting security issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your security analysis capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers design, implement, and manage cloud computing environments, ensuring scalability, reliability, and security. This course will help you build a foundation in the Bash shell, which is often used by Cloud Engineers for automating cloud infrastructure tasks, managing cloud resources, and troubleshooting cloud issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your cloud engineering capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

Automation Engineer

Automation Engineers design, develop, and implement automated solutions to streamline processes and improve efficiency. This course will help you build a foundation in the Bash shell, which is often used by Automation Engineers for automating tasks, managing automation tools, and troubleshooting automation issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your automation engineering capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain databases, ensuring data integrity, security, and performance. This course will help you build a foundation in the Bash shell, which is often used by Database Administrators for automating database management tasks, managing database servers, and troubleshooting database issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your database administration capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. This course will help you build a foundation in the Bash shell, which is often used by Technical Writers for automating documentation tasks, managing documentation repositories, and troubleshooting documentation issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your technical writing capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and manage projects, ensuring their successful completion. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to learn how to use the Bash shell for automating project management tasks, managing project resources, and troubleshooting project issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your project management capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists research and develop new computing technologies and applications. This course may be useful for Computer Scientists who want to learn how to use the Bash shell for automating research tasks, managing research data, and troubleshooting research issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your computer science research capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access and attacks. This course may be useful for Cybersecurity Analysts who want to learn how to use the Bash shell for automating cybersecurity tasks, managing cybersecurity tools, and troubleshooting cybersecurity issues. By learning how to use Bash commands and write scripts, you'll gain valuable skills that can enhance your cybersecurity analysis capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Bash Shell Scripting.

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Cover image

Advanced Bash Scripting Guide - Volume 1

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Comprehensive guide to advanced Bash shell scripting, covering topics such as regular expressions, debugging, and performance optimization. It valuable resource for those who want to take their Bash scripting skills to the next level.

Advanced Bash Scripting Guide - Volume 1: An in...

Advanced Bash Scripting Guide 5.3 Volume 1

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Comprehensive guide to Bash shell scripting, covering advanced topics such as shell parameters, process substitution, and custom functions. It valuable resource for those who want to take their Bash scripting skills to the next level.

Cover image

Cover image

Shell Programming in Unix, Linux and OS X

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Comprehensive guide to the Bash programming language, covering basic syntax, data types, and control structures. It valuable resource for those who want to learn how to write Bash scripts from scratch.

Shell Programming in Unix, Linux and OS X...

Cover image

Cover image

Perl by Example

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Provides a practical guide to Bash shell scripting, covering common tasks such as file manipulation, text processing, and system administration. It valuable resource for those who want to learn how to use Bash scripting to automate their tasks.

Perl by Example

Perl by Example

Cover image

Cover image

Linux Administration Handbook

Save

Provides a practical guide to Bash shell scripting, covering common tasks such as file manipulation, text processing, and system administration. It valuable resource for those who want to learn how to use Bash scripting to automate their tasks.

Linux Administration Handbook

Linux Administration Handbook

Cover image

Cover image

Learning the Bash Shell

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Provides a practical guide to Bash shell scripting, covering common tasks such as file manipulation, text processing, and system administration. It valuable resource for those who want to learn how to use Bash scripting to automate their tasks.

Learning the bash Shell

Learning the bash Shell

Cover image

Cover image

The Linux Command Line, 2nd Edition

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of the Linux command line, covering basic commands, file management, and shell scripting. It is an excellent resource for those who are new to Linux or those who want to improve their command line skills.

The Linux Command Line, 2nd Edition: A Complete...

(中文) Linux Command Line Compendium 2nd Edition(Chinese...

The Linux Command Line, 2nd Edition: A Complete...

Cover image

Cover image

UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of Unix and Linux system administration, covering topics such as file systems, networking, and security. It valuable resource for those who want to learn how to manage Unix and Linux systems.

UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook

UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook

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Effort

1 hour

Level

Introductory

Via

Coursera

Institution

Coursera Project Network

Instructor

Kerri-Leigh Grady

Language

English

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces learners to Bash shell scripting, providing a foundation for navigating and using the shell

Enables learners to write Bash shell scripts to automate tasks, such as backing up directories and emailing compressed files

Builds a solid foundation in Bash, allowing learners to expand their knowledge and skills in shell scripting

Provides an accessible entry point for those with no experience in IT or software development who seek to learn Bash

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