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The Ultimate Linux Shell Scripting Guide: Automate, Optimize, and Empower tasks with Linux Shell Scripting
Master Linux Shells – Your Complete Guide to Practical Success with Bash, Zsh, PowerShell
Key FeaturesDevelop portable scripts using Bash, Zsh, and PowerShell that work seamlessly across Linux, macOS, and Unix systemsProgress seamlessly through chapters with clear concepts, practical examples, and hands-on labs for skill developmentBuild real-world Linux administration scripts, enhancing your troubleshooting and management skillsBook DescriptionDive into the world of Linux shell scripting with this hands-on guide. If you’re comfortable using the command line on Unix or Linux but haven’t fully explored Bash, this book is for you. It’s designed for programmers familiar with languages like Python, JavaScript, or PHP who want to make the most of shell scripting.
This isn’t just another theory-heavy book—you’ll learn by doing. Each chapter builds on the last, taking you from shell basics to writing practical scripts that solve real-world problems. With nearly a hundred interactive labs, you’ll gain hands-on experience in automation, system administration, and troubleshooting.
While Bash is the primary focus, you'll also get a look at Z Shell and PowerShell, expanding your skills and adaptability. From mastering command redirection and pipelines to writing scripts that work across different Unix-like systems, this book equips you for real-world Linux challenges.
By the end, you'll be equipped to write efficient shell scripts that streamline your workflow and improve system automation.
What you will learnGrasp the concept of shells and explore their diverse types for varied system interactionsMaster redirection, pipes, and compound commands for efficient shell operationsLeverage text stream filters within scripts for dynamic data manipulationHarness functions and build libraries to create modular and reusable shell scriptsExplore the basic programming constructs that apply to all programming languagesEngineer portable shell scripts, ensuring compatibility across diverse platforms beyond LinuxWho this book is forThis book is for programmers who use the command line on Unix and Linux servers already, but don't write primarily in Bash. This book is ideal for programmers who've been using a scripting language such as Python, JavaScript or PHP, and would like to understand and use Bash more effectively. It’s also great for beginning programmers, who want to learn programming concepts.
Table of ContentsGetting Started with the ShellInterpreting CommandsUnderstanding Variables and PipelinesUnderstanding Input/Output RedirectionCustomizing the EnvironmentText Stream Filters – Part 1Text Stream Filters – Part 2Basic Shell Script ConstructionFiltering Text with grep, sed, and Regular ExpressionsUnderstanding FunctionsPerforming Mathematical OperationsAutomating Scripts with here Documents and expectScripting with ImageMagickUsing awk–Part 1Using awk–Part 2Creating User Interfaces with yad, dialog, and xdialogUsing Shell Options with getopsShell Scripting for Security ProfessionalsShell Script PortabilityShell Script SecurityDebugging Shell ScriptsIntroduction to Z Shell Scripting
Key FeaturesDevelop portable scripts using Bash, Zsh, and PowerShell that work seamlessly across Linux, macOS, and Unix systemsProgress seamlessly through chapters with clear concepts, practical examples, and hands-on labs for skill developmentBuild real-world Linux administration scripts, enhancing your troubleshooting and management skillsBook DescriptionDive into the world of Linux shell scripting with this hands-on guide. If you’re comfortable using the command line on Unix or Linux but haven’t fully explored Bash, this book is for you. It’s designed for programmers familiar with languages like Python, JavaScript, or PHP who want to make the most of shell scripting.
This isn’t just another theory-heavy book—you’ll learn by doing. Each chapter builds on the last, taking you from shell basics to writing practical scripts that solve real-world problems. With nearly a hundred interactive labs, you’ll gain hands-on experience in automation, system administration, and troubleshooting.
While Bash is the primary focus, you'll also get a look at Z Shell and PowerShell, expanding your skills and adaptability. From mastering command redirection and pipelines to writing scripts that work across different Unix-like systems, this book equips you for real-world Linux challenges.
By the end, you'll be equipped to write efficient shell scripts that streamline your workflow and improve system automation.
What you will learnGrasp the concept of shells and explore their diverse types for varied system interactionsMaster redirection, pipes, and compound commands for efficient shell operationsLeverage text stream filters within scripts for dynamic data manipulationHarness functions and build libraries to create modular and reusable shell scriptsExplore the basic programming constructs that apply to all programming languagesEngineer portable shell scripts, ensuring compatibility across diverse platforms beyond LinuxWho this book is forThis book is for programmers who use the command line on Unix and Linux servers already, but don't write primarily in Bash. This book is ideal for programmers who've been using a scripting language such as Python, JavaScript or PHP, and would like to understand and use Bash more effectively. It’s also great for beginning programmers, who want to learn programming concepts.
Table of ContentsGetting Started with the ShellInterpreting CommandsUnderstanding Variables and PipelinesUnderstanding Input/Output RedirectionCustomizing the EnvironmentText Stream Filters – Part 1Text Stream Filters – Part 2Basic Shell Script ConstructionFiltering Text with grep, sed, and Regular ExpressionsUnderstanding FunctionsPerforming Mathematical OperationsAutomating Scripts with here Documents and expectScripting with ImageMagickUsing awk–Part 1Using awk–Part 2Creating User Interfaces with yad, dialog, and xdialogUsing Shell Options with getopsShell Scripting for Security ProfessionalsShell Script PortabilityShell Script SecurityDebugging Shell ScriptsIntroduction to Z Shell Scripting
696 pages, Paperback
Published October 18, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 9, 2025
The book is quite chunky at just shy of 650 pages, and it's a good starting point for anyone who wants to write shell scripts for Linux, but also covers differences you might encounter writing scripts for Mac OS X, FreeBSD and OpenIndiana. There's even a chapter on using Powershell on Linux.
My job involves me writing several shell scripts on a weekly basis, and this book taught me tricks I didn't already know, but for those who don't write a lot, or any shell scripts, this is a great resource, as it starts from the very early basics, writing bash scripts using in-built tooling like cat, tac, head and tail, and working up to creating interactive menus with dialog and xdialog, syntax testing with shellcheck and shall, manipulating text with grep, sed and awk - my copy of this book is littered with bookmarks and pointers to help me find solutions in the future.
That said, if you're already competent and confident in writing shell scripts, you may find this book a little slow to start, finding more useful and less common commands and tools towards the second half.
My job involves me writing several shell scripts on a weekly basis, and this book taught me tricks I didn't already know, but for those who don't write a lot, or any shell scripts, this is a great resource, as it starts from the very early basics, writing bash scripts using in-built tooling like cat, tac, head and tail, and working up to creating interactive menus with dialog and xdialog, syntax testing with shellcheck and shall, manipulating text with grep, sed and awk - my copy of this book is littered with bookmarks and pointers to help me find solutions in the future.
That said, if you're already competent and confident in writing shell scripts, you may find this book a little slow to start, finding more useful and less common commands and tools towards the second half.
October 24, 2024
This book is probably one of, if not the most, comprehensive of all on the capabilities of scripting on Linux.
It covers all the common scripting shells, even PowerShell (who knew it would be possible to run Microsoft's shell on Linux?!), methods of securing scripts, text manipulation, advanced scripting techniques including automation, shell configuration, error handling, piping and much more.
I especially liked the chapters on image manipulations and creating user interfaces.
Be aware that this book assumes you are scripting for an on-prem resident machine and it is probably the only shortcoming I can mention.
It covers all the common scripting shells, even PowerShell (who knew it would be possible to run Microsoft's shell on Linux?!), methods of securing scripts, text manipulation, advanced scripting techniques including automation, shell configuration, error handling, piping and much more.
I especially liked the chapters on image manipulations and creating user interfaces.
Be aware that this book assumes you are scripting for an on-prem resident machine and it is probably the only shortcoming I can mention.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews