Linux Commands & Shell Scripting from edX

This mini-course provides a practical introduction to commonly used Linux / UNIX shell commands and teaches you basics of Bash shell scripting to automate a variety of tasks. The course includes both video-based lectures as well as hands-on labs to practice and apply what you learn. You will have no-charge access to a virtual Linux server that you can access through your web browser, so you don't need to download and install anything to perform the labs.

In this course you will work with general purpose commands, like id, date, uname, ps, top, echo, man; directory manageent commands such as pwd, cd, mkdir, rmdir, find, df; file management commands like cat, wget, more, head, tail, cp, mv, touch, tar, zip, unzip; access control command chmod; text processing commands - wc, grep, tr; as well as networking commands - hostname, ping, ifconfig and curl. You will create simple to intermediate shell scripts that involve Metacharacters, Quoting, Variables, Command substitution, I/O Redirection, Pipes & Filters, and Command line arguments. You will also schedule cron jobs using crontab.

This course provides essential hands-on skills for data engineers, data scientists, software developers, and cloud practitioners who want to get familiar with frequently used commands on Linux, MacOS and other Unix-like operating systems as well as get started with creating shell scripts.

What's inside

Learning objectives

After completing this course, a learner will be able to...
Describe what a linux distribution is and differentiate between common linux distributions
Define what a shell is and recall common shell commands
Execute common linux commands and use pipes and filters

Outline what a script is and describe the ‘shebang’ interpreter directive
Create simple to intermediate level bash shell scripts
Schedule cron jobs with crontab and describe the cron syntax

After completing this course, a learner will be able to...
Describe what a linux distribution is and differentiate between common linux distributions
Define what a shell is and recall common shell commands
Execute common linux commands and use pipes and filters
Outline what a script is and describe the ‘shebang’ interpreter directive
Create simple to intermediate level bash shell scripts
Schedule cron jobs with crontab and describe the cron syntax

Syllabus

Module 1 – Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting

Module Introduction & Learning Objectives

Linux Commands and Shell Scripting

Common Linux/Unix Shell Commands

Hands-on Lab: Common Linux/Unix Commands

Linux and Bash Command Cheat Sheet: The Basics

Shell Scripting Basics

Hands-on Lab: Getting Started with Shell Scripting

Filters, Pipes, and Variables

Useful Features of the Bash Shell

Hands-on Lab: Bash Scripting Advanced

Scheduling Jobs using Cron

Hands-on Lab: Scheduling Jobs using Crontab

Summary & Highlights

Practice Quiz: Linux Commands and Shell Scripting

Graded Quiz: Linux Commands and Shell Scripting

Course Wrap Up

Congratulations and Next Steps

Course Rating

Team & Notices

Acknowledgments & Team

Congrats & Next Steps

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores Linux, which is the kernel used by the most popular operating systems, including Android, Google Chrome OS, and Red Hat

Suitable for data engineers, data scientists, software developers, and cloud practitioners who want to get familiar with frequently used commands on Linux, MacOS and other Unix-like operating systems

Taught by Dr. Rav Ahuja and Dr. Ramesh Sannareddy, both faculty in the McKelvey School of Engineering

Develops essential hands-on command line skills for the management and processing of data

Course includes both video-based lectures as well as hands-on labs to practice and apply what you learn

Provides essential hands-on skills for data engineers, data scientists, software developers, and cloud practitioners

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 Linux Commands & Shell Scripting with these activities:

Review Regex basics before starting the course

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Refresh your understanding of Regex basics, which are essential for text processing and pattern matching in Linux.

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Review online resources or books on Regex basics

Compile a list of useful Linux commands

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Create a personalized reference guide by compiling commonly used Linux commands, reinforcing your understanding.

Browse courses on Linux Commands

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Collect a list of commands from the course materials and online resources
Organize the commands into categories or topics
Create a document or spreadsheet for your compilation

Practice common Linux commands

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Practice working with common Linux commands to reinforce your understanding.

Browse courses on Shell Commands

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Review the Linux Commands and Shell Scripting Cheat Sheet
Open a Linux terminal
Practice executing the commands from the cheat sheet

Five other activities

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Write a simple Bash shell script

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Create a script to automate a basic task, solidifying your understanding of scripting concepts.

Browse courses on Shell Scripting

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Review the Shell Scripting Basics
Choose a simple task to automate, such as creating a directory or copying files
Write a script to perform the task
Test your script

Follow a tutorial on cron jobs using crontab

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Expand your knowledge by following a tutorial on cron jobs, exploring advanced task scheduling techniques.

Browse courses on Cron Jobs

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Find a tutorial on cron jobs using crontab
Follow the tutorial step-by-step
Create and schedule a cron job

Attend a Linux community meetup

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Connect with professionals and learn about the latest trends in the Linux community.

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Find a Linux community meetup in your area
Register for the event
Attend the meetup and participate in discussions
Network with other Linux enthusiasts

Volunteer at a local Linux user group

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Gain practical experience and network with experts by volunteering at a Linux user group.

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Find a local Linux user group
Contact the group and inquire about volunteering opportunities
Attend events and contribute to discussions
Help with technical support or tutorials

Build a simple Linux utility or tool

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Deepen your understanding by designing and developing a functional Linux utility, solidifying your grasp of advanced scripting techniques.

Browse courses on Shell Scripting

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Identify a simple task or problem that you can solve using a Linux utility
Design and plan the utility
Write the shell script for the utility
Test and debug the utility
Document and share your utility

Career center

Learners who complete Linux Commands & Shell Scripting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

As a Software Engineer, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving software applications. With the knowledge gained from the Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course, you will have a strong foundation in the Linux operating system and be able to use commands and shell scripts to automate tasks. This will be especially useful when working with DevOps teams or in cloud computing environments. Additionally, you may use Linux systems to run software applications and build software that seamlessly integrates with Linux systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

System Administrator

As a System Administrator, you will be responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting computer systems and networks. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the Linux operating system and the ability to use commands and shell scripts to automate tasks. This will be essential for managing and monitoring Linux systems, as well as for troubleshooting and resolving issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for System Administrator

Data Analyst

As a Data Analyst, you will use your expertise in data collection, cleaning, and analysis to extract meaningful insights from data. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with the skills necessary to navigate and manage data stored on Linux systems, as well as to automate data processing tasks using shell scripts. This will make you more efficient in your work and allow you to focus on the more analytical aspects of your role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

IT Specialist

As an IT Specialist, you will be responsible for providing technical support to users and maintaining computer systems and networks. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with a solid foundation in the Linux operating system, as well as the ability to use commands and shell scripts to automate tasks. This will make you more efficient in your work and allow you to provide better support to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Specialist

DevOps Engineer

As a DevOps Engineer, you will be responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will teach you how to use Linux commands and shell scripts to automate tasks in both development and operations environments. This will make you more efficient and effective in your work, and will allow you to contribute to the smooth and successful delivery of software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Cloud Engineer

As a Cloud Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, building, and managing cloud computing systems. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will give you a solid foundation in the Linux operating system. This will be necessary for performing tasks such as configuring and managing cloud servers, as well as for developing and deploying cloud applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

Network Engineer

As a Network Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining computer networks. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with a solid foundation in the Linux operating system, as well as the ability to use commands and shell scripts to automate tasks. This will be essential for managing and monitoring network devices, as well as for troubleshooting and resolving network issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Security Analyst

As a Security Analyst, you will be responsible for protecting computer systems and networks from threats. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with a solid foundation in the Linux operating system, as well as the ability to use commands and shell scripts to automate security tasks. This will make you more efficient in your work and allow you to better protect against cyber threats.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, you will use your expertise in data science and machine learning to solve business problems. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with the skills necessary to manage and analyze data stored on Linux systems, as well as to automate data processing tasks using shell scripts. This will make you more efficient in your work and allow you to focus on the more analytical aspects of your role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Database Administrator

As a Database Administrator, you will be responsible for managing and maintaining databases. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with a solid foundation in the Linux operating system, as well as the ability to use commands and shell scripts to automate tasks. This will make you more efficient in your work and allow you to better manage and maintain databases.

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IT Manager

As an IT Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the IT department and ensuring that it runs smoothly. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with a solid foundation in the Linux operating system, as well as the ability to use commands and shell scripts to automate tasks. This will be helpful for managing IT infrastructure and for troubleshooting and resolving IT issues.

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Web Developer

As a Web Developer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with a solid foundation in the Linux operating system, as well as the ability to use commands and shell scripts to automate tasks. This will be helpful for managing and maintaining web servers, as well as for developing and deploying web applications.

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Help Desk Technician

As a Help Desk Technician, you will be responsible for providing technical support to users. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with a solid foundation in the Linux operating system, as well as the ability to use commands and shell scripts to automate tasks. This will make you more efficient in your work and allow you to better support users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Help Desk Technician

IT Auditor

As an IT Auditor, you will be responsible for evaluating the security and efficiency of computer systems and networks. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with a solid foundation in the Linux operating system, as well as the ability to use commands and shell scripts to automate tasks. This will be helpful for conducting audits and for identifying and resolving IT security issues.

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Computer Programmer

As a Computer Programmer, you will be responsible for writing and maintaining computer programs. The Linux Commands & Shell Scripting course will provide you with a solid foundation in the Linux operating system, as well as the ability to use commands and shell scripts to automate tasks. This will make you more efficient in your work and allow you to write better programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer