What is a Bash script?

A Bash script is a shell script that contains a series of commands for the Bash programming language in Unix and Linux environments. The script is a plain text file that serves much like the script of a play or movie in that it tells the computer what to do and in what order to perform certain tasks. The contents of the script are commands that you can otherwise run on the command line individually—the only difference is that you've combined multiple commands into a single script.

Why learn Bash scripting?

Bash scripting can save you time and effort, especially if you have to run the same series of commands on a regular basis. If you ran each instruction individually on the command line, the effort can be time-consuming, but putting them into a script to run in Bash allows you to put multiple commands into the same file. A Bash script allows you to automate tasks that you have to repeat regularly so that you don't have to enter each command over and over again. Since Bash is such a common Unix language, you can use the scripts you create on any Linux computer using that language.

What are typical careers that use Bash scripting?

If you're a system administrator, having a general knowledge of shell scripting is important, but Bash scripting will allow you to find a career in any workplace that relies on the Bash programming language. There are plenty of jobs you can get as a Linux system administrator that will allow you to put your Bash scripting skills to use every day. You can also find jobs developing Unix software applications or working in a data center. DevOps careers rely on a thorough knowledge of Bash scripts for automation as well.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn Bash scripting?

Online courses on Coursera can help you add Bash script writing to your list of valuable tools whether you're looking for advancement at your current workplace or you want to strike out into a new career. If you're new to the Unix or Linex environments, you might start out with a foundations course that helps you understand how it works. If you're a seasoned pro, you can learn how to automate using Bash scripts in a host of applications.

What are the benefits of taking an online Bash Script course?

Online Bash Script courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Bash Script skills. With a wide range of Bash Script classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Bash Script career skills.

What Bash Script courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Bash Script, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Bash Script Courses - Learn Bash Script Online

Explore the Bash Script Course Catalog

Johns Hopkins University
Single Page Web Applications with AngularJS
Skills you'll gain: JavaScript Frameworks, Unit Testing, Ajax, Cloud Applications, Web Applications, Front-End Web Development, Javascript, Model View Controller, Software Architecture, UI Components
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Linux: Introduction to Shell Scripting for DevOps
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Linux, Scripting, Unix Commands, DevOps, File Management, Unix, Command-Line Interface
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
71 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
IBM
IBM DevOps and Software Engineering
Skills you'll gain: CI/CD, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Istio, Continuous Integration, Software Development Life Cycle, Linux Commands, Agile Software Development, Unit Testing, Cloud Computing Architecture, Application Deployment, Test Driven Development (TDD), Gherkin (Scripting Language), Kubernetes, Jenkins, Bash (Scripting Language), Cloud Services, DevOps, Git (Version Control System), Jupyter, Grafana
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
58K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Meta
Programming with JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Web Development Tools, Javascript, Unit Testing, Web Applications, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Scripting Languages, Event-Driven Programming, Node.JS, Scripting, JSON, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Debugging, Package and Software Management, Program Development, Front-End Web Development, Functional Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IBM
BI Foundations with SQL, ETL and Data Warehousing
Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, SQL, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Linux Commands, IBM Cognos Analytics, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Data Visualization, Dashboard, File Management, Star Schema, Unix Shell, IBM DB2, Business Intelligence, Databases, Stored Procedure, Relational Databases
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
23K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Shell Scripting with Bash: Basics
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Scripting, Command-Line Interface, Unix Shell, Unix Commands, Linux Commands, Unix, Linux, File Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
50 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Google
Using Python to Interact with the Operating System
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Linux Commands, Linux, File Management, Unix Commands, Command-Line Interface, IT Automation, Scripting, Operating Systems, Development Testing, OS Process Management, Unit Testing, Automation, Python Programming, Test Driven Development (TDD), Debugging, Development Environment
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Command Line in Linux
Skills you'll gain: Linux Commands, Linux, Linux Servers, Command-Line Interface, Linux Administration, File Management, Unix Commands, File Systems, Server Administration
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
942 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Coursera Project Network
Automating Team Communication with Google Sheets and Apps Script
Skills you'll gain: Google Workspace, Google Sheets, Stakeholder Communications, Communication Planning, Scripting, Project Management Software, Email Marketing, Web Applications, Data Validation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
126 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Google Cloud
Managing Google Workspace
Skills you'll gain: Google Workspace, Gmail, Scripting, User Accounts, Automation, System Configuration, Document Management, File Management, Configuration Management, Application Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Johns Hopkins University
The Unix Workbench
Skills you'll gain: GitHub, Unix, Git (Version Control System), Unix Commands, Version Control, Bash (Scripting Language), Command-Line Interface, Cloud Computing, Shell Script, Linux, Mac OS, Scripting, File Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
Linux and Bash for Data Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Linux Commands, Shell Script, Linux, Linux Administration, Unix Shell, File Management, File Systems, Scripting, Command-Line Interface, System Configuration, Remote Access Systems, Data Manipulation, Development Environment, OS Process Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
125 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks