The Unix Workbench from Coursera

Unix forms a foundation that is often very helpful for accomplishing other goals you might have for you and your computer, whether that goal is running a business, writing a book, curing disease, or creating the next great app. The means to these goals are sometimes carried out by writing software. Software can’t be mined out of the ground, nor can software seeds be planted in spring to harvest by autumn. Software isn’t produced in factories on an assembly line. Software is a hand-made, often bespoke good. If a software developer is an artisan, then Unix is their workbench. Unix provides an essential and simple set of tools in a distraction-free environment. Even if you’re not a software developer learning Unix can open you up to new methods of thinking and novel ways to scale your ideas.

This course is intended for folks who are new to programming and new to Unix-like operating systems like macOS and Linux distributions like Ubuntu. Most of the technologies discussed in this course will be accessed via a command line interface. Command line interfaces can seem alien at first, so this course attempts to draw parallels between using the command line and actions that you would normally take while using your mouse and keyboard. You’ll also learn how to write little pieces of software in a programming language called Bash, which allows you to connect together the tools we’ll discuss. My hope is that by the end of this course you be able to use different Unix tools as if they’re interconnecting Lego bricks.

What's inside

Syllabus

Unix and Command Line Basics

This week we'll help you get access to Unix (you may already be using it), and you'll start using the command line. We'll draw parallels between using your mouse and keyboard with your computer's graphics versus only using the command line.

Working with Unix

Now we'll get into the power of different Unix tools. We'll walk through several scenarios where you could use Unix to perform tasks at a much faster speed than you would be able to normally.

Bash Programming

During this week we'll unleash the command line's usefulness as a programming language. By the end of this week you'll be writing your own little computer programs that you can use on the command line.

Git and GitHub

First you'll learn how to use Git, which is like "track changes" for your code and plain text files, but much more powerful. We'll then explore how to use Git with GitHub, a social coding network where you can publish you projects and explore other's code.

Nephology

Finally we'll set up a cloud computing environment so we can explore how computers communicate with each other using the internet.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the Unix command line, which is standard in industry

Develops Bash programming and Git skills, which are used for software development

Introduces Nephology, a highly relevant cloud computing topic

Taught by recognized instructors in the field of data science

May require proficiency in Unix-like operating systems, which could be a barrier for some learners

Reviews summary

Unix workbench basics

Learners say this course is a well designed introduction to the Unix command line and related software. It covers bash programming, Unix workstations, version control using Git, and deploying code to the cloud. According to students, the course assumes some experience with programming but beginners may still find it accessible. Key features of the course include engaging assignments that let students review and apply newly learned material, a supportive community where students can ask questions and discuss topics, and clear explanations of technical concepts. Some students have found that the course lacks sufficient hands-on practice, that some of the material could be organized more clearly, and that some assignments take an excessive amount of time to complete.

This course is broken down into short, manageable segments.

"I thought the course was very well organized and easy to follow with lots of good resources provided as an external link. I especially liked that it was divided into short-enough sections that I could squeeze in one section here and there when I found time to sit down."

"The course is simple and effective, it teaches everything that you need to get started with Linux and if you wanna learn more, mentor will give alot of guidance as well as challenges so you can test yourself. i really enjoyed the conversation with mentor."

The course assignments are engaging and help to solidify learning.

"Engaging assignments"

"Concise presentation with hands on reinforcement of useful concepts. Great course to improve or practice skills."

The course comes with access to a community of learners and teachers.

"The Course was very useful for me. Not very difficult, but definitely beneficial for improving day-to-day work with linux for beginners."

"I like how the discussion forum was so helpful and I was getting my questions answered within a day. The content is great, informative and to the point. The exercises and projects are great as well. Loved the course!"

This course effectively teaches the basics of Unix.

"Excellent course."

"This was a great learning experience.."

"I really enjoyed taking this course! I had no experience using Unix and I learned a lot!"

This course is best suited for learners with some programming experience.

"This course assumes some experience with programming but beginners may still find it accessible."

"Overall, the course was acceptable. Most of the material, especially the terminal basics and bash programming segments, was laid out in a comprehensive manner. Although, to be honest, more could have been done in the introductory section (for example, a discussion on root vs non-root access, the purposes of superusers and sudo etc."

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 The Unix Workbench with these activities:

Organize and review course notes, assignments, and exams

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Enhance your understanding and retention of course materials by regularly reviewing and organizing your notes, assignments, and exams, solidifying your knowledge and identifying areas for further study.

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Gather all course notes, assignments, and exams
Organize the materials into a logical structure, such as by topic or week
Review the materials regularly, focusing on key concepts and difficult topics

Review Unix command line basics

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Familiarize yourself with the Unix command line interface, which will be essential for navigating and using Unix systems throughout the course.

Browse courses on Unix Command Line

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Access a Unix terminal
Navigate the file system using commands like 'cd' and 'ls'
Create, edit, and delete files using commands like 'touch', 'nano', and 'rm'
Use basic commands for managing processes, such as 'ps' and 'kill'

Participate in online discussion forums

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Engage with peers and instructors in online discussion forums to ask questions, share insights, and collaborate on course-related topics, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.

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Identify relevant online discussion forums for the course
Actively participate in discussions by posting questions, responding to others, and sharing resources
Read and engage with the contributions of others

Four other activities

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Solve practice problems on Unix command line usage

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Strengthen your proficiency in using the Unix command line by solving practice problems that challenge your understanding and help you identify areas for improvement.

Browse courses on Unix Command Line

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Find online resources or textbooks with practice problems on Unix command line usage
Attempt to solve the problems independently
Review your solutions and identify areas where you need further practice

Complete online tutorials on Bash programming

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Enhance your understanding of Bash programming by following guided tutorials, which will provide practical examples and exercises to reinforce the concepts covered in the course.

Browse courses on Bash Programming

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Identify reputable online tutorials or courses for Bash programming
Follow the tutorials, completing the exercises and examples provided
Experiment with different Bash commands and scripts

Develop a Bash script for automating a task

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Apply your knowledge of Bash programming by creating a script that automates a repetitive or complex task, demonstrating your ability to use Bash to solve problems and improve efficiency.

Browse courses on Bash Programming

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Identify a task that can be automated using Bash
Design and write a Bash script to perform the task
Test and debug the script to ensure it works correctly

Contribute to open-source projects related to Unix

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Deepen your understanding of Unix and contribute to the community by participating in open-source projects that involve Unix technologies, allowing you to apply your skills while making a meaningful impact.

Browse courses on Unix

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Identify open-source projects related to Unix that align with your interests
Review the project documentation and codebase
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements
Submit your contributions to the project and engage with the community

Career center

Learners who complete The Unix Workbench will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software systems. This course can help someone in this role by providing them with a foundation in the Unix operating system and programming in Bash. This will be helpful when designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Software Developer

Software Developers design, deploy, and debug software programs. This course can help someone in this role by letting them use different Unix tools as interconnected Lego bricks. Those tools are the building blocks of software programs. By the end of this course, developers will be able to use the Unix workbench to build the software programs they need to excel in their role.

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Unix Engineer

Unix Engineers oversee the Unix systems in an enterprise. This course would be very helpful to someone in this role because it provides an essential and simple set of tools in a distraction-free environment. Those tools are what a Unix Engineer uses every day to manage Unix systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Unix Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites. This course can help someone in this role by providing them with a foundation in the Unix operating system and programming in Bash. This will be helpful when designing, developing, and maintaining websites.

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Network Administrator

Network Administrators plan, implement, and maintain the computer networks of an organization. This course can help someone in this role by showing them how to use software development tools to design and implement new network configurations and upgrades.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course can help someone in this role by showing them how to use software development tools, which are crucial for designing and implementing security measures.

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Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators manage and maintain the computer systems and networks of an organization. This course can help someone in this role by providing them with a foundation in the Unix operating system. This will be helpful when managing and maintaining computer systems and networks.

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Programmer

Programmers design, develop, test, and maintain computer programs. This course can help someone in this role by providing them with a foundation in the Unix operating system and programming in Bash. This will be helpful for developing high-quality and efficient programs.

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Software Architect

Software Architects design and build the overall architecture of software systems. This course can help someone in this role by providing them with a foundation in the Unix operating system and programming in Bash. This will be helpful when designing and building the architectures of complex software systems.

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Software Quality Assurance Tester

Software Quality Assurance Testers test software applications to find defects and ensure that they meet requirements. This course can help someone in this role by providing them with a foundation in the Unix operating system and programming in Bash. This will be helpful when testing and debugging software applications.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators maintain and administer data. This course may be useful to someone in this role because it can help them become adept at thinking in new ways and scaling their ideas. This will help them manage and administer data across an organization.

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DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers bridge the gap between development and operations teams. This course may be useful to someone in this role because it can help them become adept at thinking in new ways and scaling their ideas. This will be helpful for understanding the needs of both the development and operations teams and for bridging the gap between them.

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IT Manager

IT Managers oversee the IT systems and staff of an organization. This course may be useful to someone in this role because it can help them become adept at thinking in new ways and scaling their ideas. This will be helpful for managing and coordinating people to deliver the results the organization needs.

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Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. This course may be useful to someone in this role because it can help them become adept at thinking in new ways and scaling ideas, which will aid them in designing and implementing computer systems.

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IT Auditor

IT Auditors evaluate the IT systems and controls of an organization in order to ensure that they are effective and compliant with regulations. This course may be useful to someone in this role because it can help them become adept at thinking in new ways and scaling their ideas. This will aid in the evaluation of IT processes and the development of new control measures.

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