What is Shell Scripting?
Shell Scripting is a way of writing multiple Linux commands in a file so they can be executed together
automatically.
Instead of typing commands one by one, we save them in a file and run it.
Example:
Creating folders
Copying files
Taking backups
Automating daily tasks
What is a Shell?
A Shell is a program that acts as a bridge between the user and the Linux operating system.
Flow:
User → Shell → Kernel → Hardware
Common shells:
bash (most commonly used)
sh
zsh
In this course, we use bash shell.
First Linux Commands (Revision)
pwd # shows current directory
ls # lists files and folders
date # shows current date and time
whoami # shows current user
These commands are executed by the shell.
What is a Shell Script?
A Shell Script is a text file containing Linux commands.
File extension: .sh
Executed using bash shell
First Shell Script (Example 1)
Step 1: Create a file
nano [Link]
Step 2: Write the script
#!/bin/bash
echo "Hello Students"
date
pwd
Step 3: Give execute permission
chmod +x [Link]
Step 4: Run the script
./[Link]
Explanation of Script Lines
#!/bin/bash → tells the system which shell to use
echo → prints output
date, pwd → normal Linux commands
Variables in Shell Script
A variable stores data.
Example 2: Variable Usage
#!/bin/bash
name="Sairam"
echo "My name is $name"
Rules:
No space around =
Use $ to access variable value
Taking Input from User
Example 3: User Input
#!/bin/bash
echo "Enter your name:"
read uname
echo "Welcome $uname"
read → takes input from user
If-Else Statement
Used for decision making.
Example 4: Check Voting Eligibility
#!/bin/bash
echo "Enter age:"
read age
if [ $age -ge 18 ]
then
echo "You are eligible to vote"
else
echo "You are not eligible"
fi
Loops in Shell Scripting
Loops are used to repeat tasks.
Example 5: For Loop
#!/bin/bash
for i in 1 2 3 4 5
do
echo "Number: $i"
done
While Loop Example
#!/bin/bash
count=1
while [ $count -le 5 ]
do
echo "Count: $count"
count=$((count+1))
done
Functions in Shell Script
Functions help reuse code.
Example 6: Function
#!/bin/bash
sayHello() {
echo "Hello from function"
sayHello
Real-Time Example: Backup Script
#!/bin/bash
mkdir backup
cp *.txt backup/
echo "Backup completed"
Advantages of Shell Scripting
Saves time
Reduces manual work
Easy automation
Widely used in DevOps & Linux administration
Summary
Shell scripting automates Linux commands
Bash is the most used shell
Scripts contain commands, variables, loops, and conditions
Problems:
1. Write a shell script program of Arithmetic operations -using expr
Answer:
#!/bin/bash
read a b
add=`expr $a + $b`
sub=`expr $a - $b`
mult=`expr $a \* $b`
div=`expr $a / $b`
echo "$add"
echo "$sub"
echo "$mult"
echo "$div"
[Link] leap year or not
#!/bin/bash
read num
if [ $((num % 4)) -eq 0 ]
then
echo "leap year"
else
echo "not a leap year"
fi
[Link] a number
#!/bin/bash
echo "Enter a number:"
read num
rev=0
while [ $num -gt 0 ]
do
rem=$((num % 10))
rev=$((rev * 10 + rem))
num=$((num / 10))
done
echo "Reversed number = $rev"
4. Fibonacci series
#!/bin/bash
echo "Enter number of terms:"
read n
a=0
b=1
echo "Fibonacci series:"
echo "$a"
echo "$b"
for (( i=3; i<=n; i++ ))
do
c=$((a + b))
echo "$c"
a=$b
b=$c
done