A shell script is essentially a series of commands written in a text file that the shell interpreter runs to automate tasks and perform system administration functions. You can use shell scripts to automate repetitive tasks, set up environment variables, run backups, and more.

In this guided project, discover how you can create basic shell scripts to run commands.

First, you’ll create a new script file that accepts a username and prints a welcome message. Next, you’ll edit the script and add the code needed to transform the script into a launchable, runnable file. Then, learn how to add permissions to the script and run the file.

After completing this guided project, you’ll be ready to work with your own Linux shell scripts and create more complex files.

A Look at the Project Ahead

After completing this project, you'll be able to:

Create and execute a simple bash shell script.
Implement the 'shabang' directive in a bash shell script.

What You'll Need

For this project, you will need:

Just a web browser!

Everything else is provided to you via the IBM Skills Network Cloud IDE based on Theia, where you will have access to a working lab environment that we offer as part of the IBM Skills Network Lab environment. This platform works best with current versions of modern browsers.

Shell Scripting for Beginners

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