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Course

Introduction to Bash Scripting

IntermediateSkill Level

4.8+

Updated 08/2025

Bash scripting allows you to build analytics pipelines in the cloud and work with data stored across multiple files.

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ShellProgramming

4 hr

13 videos

43 Exercises

3,350 XP

37,839

Statement of Accomplishment

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Course Description

Bash is a concise, superfast, and robust scripting language for data and file manipulation. It’s a vital skill for building analytics pipelines in the cloud, favored by Linux users to work with data stored across multiple files.In this course, we’ll guide you through the basics of Bash scripting. We begin with an introduction to Bash script structures, including inputting arguments and outputting results. You’ll then work through data structures, such as variables and arrays, and control statements, including loops and conditionals. You’ll then put what you’ve learned into practice, by creating your own Bash functions and scheduling automated scripts to run like clockwork with cron.

Prerequisites

Introduction to Shell

1

From Command-Line to Bash Script

Save yourself time when performing complex repetitive tasks. You’ll begin this course by refreshing your knowledge of common command-line programs and arguments before quickly moving into the world of Bash scripting. You’ll create simple command-line pipelines and then transform these into Bash scripts. You’ll then boost your skills and learn about standard streams and feeding arguments to your Bash scripts.

Introduction and refresher

Extracting scores with shell

Searching a book with shell

Your first Bash script

A simple Bash script

Shell pipelines to Bash scripts

Extract and edit using Bash scripts

Standard streams & arguments

Using arguments in Bash scripts

Using arguments with HR data

2

Variables in Bash Scripting

Master the bread and butter of Bash scripts—variables! In this chapter, you’ll learn how to create basic string and numeric variables, and perform calculations on these variables. You’ll also learn about the magic of a shell-within-a-shell (shell-ception), opening up huge opportunities for advanced scripting.

Basic variables in Bash

Using variables in Bash

Shell within a shell

Numeric variables in Bash

Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius

Extracting data from files

Arrays in Bash

Creating an array

Creating associative arrays

Climate calculations in Bash

3

Control Statements in Bash Scripting

Life isn't always linear and neither should your Bash scripts. In this chapter, you’ll take your Bash scripts to the next level by learning control statements. You’ll learn the differences between FOR, WHILE, IF, and CASE statements and how to use them in your Bash scripts. Armed with these new tools, you’ll be ready to create more advanced Bash scripts with conditional logic.

IF statements

Sorting model results

Moving relevant files

FOR loops & WHILE statements

A simple FOR loop

Correcting a WHILE statement

Cleaning up a directory

CASE statements

Days of the week with CASE

Moving model results with CASE

Finishing a CASE statement

4

Functions and Automation

Give your Bash scripts a powerful new addition by building useful functions to process data and variables. In this last chapter, you will learn the structure of functions in Bash, how to use functions to help automate frequent tasks, and program your scripts to run on schedule without needing to even lift a finger.

Basic functions in Bash

Uploading model results to the cloud

Get the current day

Arguments, return values, and scope

A percentage calculator

Sports analytics function

Summing an array

Scheduling your scripts with Cron

Analyzing a crontab schedule

Creating cronjobs

Scheduling cronjobs with crontab

Thanks and wrap up

Introduction to Bash Scripting

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FAQs

What shell knowledge do I need before learning Bash scripting?

You should have completed Introduction to Shell, meaning you are comfortable navigating directories, running basic commands, and using pipes and redirections on the command line.

What control structures does this course teach in Bash?

You will learn FOR loops, WHILE loops, IF statements, and CASE statements, along with how to combine them for scripts with conditional logic and repeated operations.

Does the course cover scheduling scripts to run automatically?

Yes. The final chapter teaches you how to use cron to schedule your Bash scripts to run on a recurring basis without any manual intervention.

What is shell-within-a-shell, and why is it useful?

Shell-within-a-shell lets you embed command output inside variable assignments or expressions. It opens up advanced scripting by capturing results of one command for use in another.

What can I automate after completing this course?

You will be able to write Bash scripts for file manipulation, data processing pipelines, and repetitive system tasks, then schedule them with cron for hands-free execution.

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