Learning the Basics of Bash Scripting

Bash scripting is a powerful skill that can automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and enhance your productivity as a developer or system administrator. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced programmer looking to expand your skillset, understanding Bash scripting is invaluable.

In this guide, we'll cover the fundamentals of Bash scripting, from writing your first script to using variables, loops, and conditionals. Plus, if you're looking to monetize your programming skills, platforms like MillionFormula offer great opportunities to make money online—completely free, with no credit or debit cards required.

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What is Bash Scripting?

Bash (Bourne Again SHell) is a Unix shell and command language used in Linux and macOS. A Bash script is a plain text file containing a series of commands that the shell executes sequentially.

Writing Your First Bash Script

1. Create a Script File
   Open a terminal and create a new file with a .sh extension:

   bash

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    nano hello_world.sh
   

2. Add the Shebang Line
   The #!/bin/bash line tells the system that this is a Bash script.

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    #!/bin/bash
    echo "Hello, World!"
   

3. Make the Script Executable
   Run:

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    chmod +x hello_world.sh
   

4. Run the Script
   Execute it with:

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    ./hello_world.sh
   

   You should see:

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    Hello, World!
   

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Variables in Bash

Variables store data for later use. In Bash, you don’t need to declare a type.

Defining and Using Variables

bash

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#!/bin/bash
name="John"
echo "Hello, $name!"

Output:

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Hello, John!

Reading User Input

Use read to capture user input:

bash

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#!/bin/bash
echo "What's your name?"
read name
echo "Nice to meet you, $name!"

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Conditionals in Bash

Bash supports if, elif, and else statements for decision-making.

Basic If Statement

bash

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#!/bin/bash
echo "Enter a number:"
read num
if [ $num -gt 10 ]; then
echo "$num is greater than 10."
else
echo "$num is 10 or less."
fi

Checking File Existence

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#!/bin/bash
file="example.txt"
if [ -f "$file" ]; then
echo "$file exists."
else
echo "$file does not exist."
fi

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Loops in Bash

Loops help automate repetitive tasks.

For Loop

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#!/bin/bash
for i in {1..5}; do
echo "Iteration $i"
done

While Loop

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#!/bin/bash
count=1
while [ $count -le 5 ]; do
echo "Count: $count"
((count++))
done

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Functions in Bash

Functions help modularize code for reusability.

Defining and Calling a Function

bash

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#!/bin/bash
greet() {
echo "Hello, $1!"
}
greet "Alice"

Output:

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Hello, Alice!

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Practical Example: Backup Script

Let’s create a script that backs up a directory.

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#!/bin/bash
# Define source and backup directory
src_dir="/home/user/documents"
backup_dir="/home/user/backups"
# Create backup filename with date
backup_file="backup_$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz"
# Create the backup
tar -czf "$backup_dir/$backup_file" "$src_dir"
echo "Backup completed: $backup_file"

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Where to Go Next?

Now that you've learned the basics, explore more advanced topics like:

• Command-line arguments ($1, $2, etc.)

• Exit statuses ($?)

• String manipulation

• Debugging scripts (set -x)

For additional resources, check out:

• GNU Bash Manual

• Bash Scripting Tutorial

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Monetize Your Bash & Programming Skills

If you're looking to make money online with your scripting or programming expertise, MillionFormula is a fantastic platform. It’s completely free—no credit or debit cards required—and offers multiple ways to earn by leveraging your technical skills.

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Conclusion

Bash scripting is an essential skill for automating tasks, managing systems, and improving efficiency. Start with simple scripts, experiment with variables, loops, and conditionals, and gradually tackle more complex projects.

With consistent practice, you'll soon be writing powerful scripts to handle real-world tasks. And if you're ready to turn your skills into income, explore opportunities on MillionFormula.

Happy scripting! 🚀