Bash for the CLI & Scripting

Bash is a Unix shell and scripting language that lets you interact with your operating system through the command-line interface and automate sequences of commands with scripts.

Instead of relying exclusively on graphical interfaces, the command line gives developers direct access to files, processes, programs, environment variables, permissions, and other operating-system resources.

For backend developers, being comfortable with the command line is particularly useful because many development, deployment, and server-administration workflows happen primarily through a terminal.

Bash also lets you combine commands with variables, conditions, loops, and functions to automate repetitive tasks that would otherwise have to be performed manually.

Learning objectives

In this module, you'll learn how to work efficiently from the command line and automate common development and system tasks with Bash scripts.

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Navigate and manipulate files and directories from the command line.
• Combine commands and redirect their input and output using standard streams and pipes.
• Configure the shell environment and manage processes, users, groups, and file permissions.
• Schedule recurring commands using Cron.
• Write reusable Bash scripts using variables, arrays, conditions, loops, and functions.
• Read and process input and handle errors when executing Bash scripts.