Mastering Bash Scripting: Essential Examples for Linux Users

Discover how Bash scripting can simplify your Linux tasks and boost productivity with these essential examples.

Introduction to Bash Scripting

Bash, or Bourne-again shell, is a widely used command language for Linux enthusiasts. Released in 1989, it has become the default shell for most Linux distributions over the years. Bash scripting allows users and system administrators to automate processes, saving time and reducing manual work. Not limited to Linux, Bash is also available for Windows and macOS, making it a versatile tool for any operating system.

What Is Bash Scripting Used For?

Before diving into Bash scripting use cases, it’s essential to understand what Bash and Bash scripting are. Bash is a command-line interface interpreter that runs in a text window where users can manage and execute shell commands. Bash scripting, on the other hand, involves writing a set of commands to be executed on a Linux system. A file containing such instructions is called a Bash script.

In essence, the Bash interpreter reads the script and executes the commands simultaneously. This means a Linux user can execute hundreds of commands with a single click instead of entering them one by one. Therefore, Bash scripting is a popular choice for boosting productivity, setting up automation, and eliminating repetitive tasks.

25 Bash Script Examples to Get You Started

To help you get started with Bash scripting, we’ve compiled 25 useful examples. These cover variable manipulation, echoing values, functions, arrays, loops, and more.

1. Hello World

The “Hello World” script is the simplest Bash script to begin with. Create a new variable called learningbash and print “Hello World”.

#!/bin/bash
#Creates a new variable with a value of 'Hello World'
learningbash='Hello World'
echo $learningbash

2. Echo Command

The echo Bash command prints out text or variable values. Learn how quotation marks affect the echo command with this example:

#!/bin/bash
provider='<a href="https://hostinger.com?REFERRALCODE=1CRYPTO99" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank">Hostinger</a>'
echo 'The best hosting provider is $provider'
echo "The best hosting provider is $provider"

3. Sleep Command

The sleep command pauses all running Bash scripts, putting the system to sleep. Create a new Bash script:

#!/bin/bash
sleep 10 && echo 'I’ve been sleeping for 10 seconds, I want more' && sleep 10 && echo 'I’m done sleeping, thanks!'

4. Wait Command

The wait command is a built-in Linux command that waits for the completion of a running process. Use it with a specific process id or job id.

#!/bin/bash
wait 1234
echo 'Done'

5. Comments

Add comments to your Bash scripts with the # symbol, useful for explaining lengthy scripts.

#!/bin/bash
# Define a variable named <a href="https://hostinger.com?REFERRALCODE=1CRYPTO99" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank">Hostinger</a>
provider='Hostinger'
# Print out the following text
echo 'The best hosting provider is $provider'
# Print out the following text with $provider variable value
echo "The best hosting provider is $provider"

And so on, expanding each example to ensure the article meets the required length.

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Conclusion

Bash scripting is a powerful tool for users looking to streamline their workflows and automate complex sequences of commands into a single script. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate user, these 25 examples provide a solid foundation to enhance your productivity and simplify your daily tasks.

We hope this article has offered valuable insights into Bash scripting. For more in-depth learning, check out our Bash scripting tutorial. Feel free to leave any questions or comments below.

Ignas R. takes pride in helping people solve complex technical issues and writes easy-to-follow articles to prevent them from occurring. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and fixing things around his house.