The command-line interface (CLI) is the cornerstone of interacting with the Linux operating system. It allows users to enter commands directly, offering greater control and flexibility compared to ...

Simply put, a Shell Script is a program that is run by a UNIX/Linux shell. It is a file that contains a series of commands which are executed sequentially as if they were entered on the command line ...

Dive 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 is easy to dismiss bash — the typical Linux shell program — as just a command prompt that allows scripting. Bash, however, is a full-blown programming language. I wouldn’t pres… ...

Bash scripting commands are as varied as the command set that Unix's terminal has. Bash commands can also use parameters, expanding their usability and making them a powerful way of controlling Linux.

The key is to realize that when you execute our script (say, resetpath), a new copy of bash runs. It inherits all the variables from your shell. Now the script sets PATH for the new copy of bash.

It's not hard to create and run a shell script in Linux distros like Ubuntu, but there are a few non-obvious pitfalls you need to avoid. Here's a quick example of how to execute a script in Linux.

You can use the set -x command to do some script debugging. In other words, when you use this option, bash is going to show you a lot more output that displays what your script is up to.

This article is reprinted from the book A Practical Guide to Linux Commands, Editors, and Shell Programming 3rd edition, with permission of the author and publisher Prentice Hall, all rights ...