Shell Scripting Tutorial

Shell Scripting Tutorial: How to Create
Shell Script in Linux/Unix

Shell Scripting
Shell Scripting is an open-source computer program designed to be run by
the Unix/Linux shell. Shell Scripting is a program to write a series of
commands for the shell to execute. It can combine lengthy and repetitive
sequences of commands into a single and simple script that can be stored
and executed anytime which, reduces programming efforts.
This Shell Scripting tutorial helps to learn a basic understanding of the

Linux/Unix shell scripting program to advanced concepts of Shell Scripting.
This Shell Script tutorial designed for beginners and professionals who want
to learn What is Shell Scripting? How shell scripting works, types of shell, and
more.
What is Shell?
Shell is a UNIX term for an interface between a user and an operating system
service. Shell provides users with an interface and accepts human-readable
commands into the system and executes those commands which can run
automatically and give the program’s output in a shell script.
An Operating is made of many components, but its two prime components are
–
 Kernel
 Shell
Componen
ts of Shell Program
A Kernel is at the nucleus of a computer. It makes the communication
between the hardware and software possible. While the Kernel is the
innermost part of an operating system, a shell is the outermost one.
A shell in a Linux operating system takes input from you in the form of
commands, processes it, and then gives an output. It is the interface through
which a user works on the programs, commands, and scripts. A shell is
accessed by a terminal which runs it.
When you run the terminal, the Shell issues a command prompt (usually
$), where you can type your input, which is then executed when you hit the
Enter key. The output or the result is thereafter displayed on the terminal.
The Shell wraps around the delicate interior of an Operating system protecting
it from accidental damage. Hence the name Shell.
This Unix/Linux Shell Script tutorial helps understand shell scripting basics to
advanced levels.
In this Shell Script tutorial, you will learn-
 What is Shell Scripting?

 What is a Shell?
 Types of Shell
 How to Write Shell Script in Linux/Unix
 Adding shell comments
 What are Shell Variables?
Types of Shell
There are two main shells in Linux:
1. The Bourne Shell: The prompt for this shell is $ and its derivatives are
listed below:
 POSIX shell also is known as sh

 Korn Shell also knew as sh
 Bourne Again SHell also knew as bash (most popular)
2. The C shell: The prompt for this shell is %, and its subcategories are:
 C shell also is known as csh

 Tops C shell also is known as tcsh
We will discuss bash shell based shell scripting in this tutorial.
How to Write Shell Script in Linux/Unix

Shell Scripts are written using text editors. On your Linux system, open a text
editor program, open a new file to begin typing a shell script or shell
programming, then give the shell permission to execute your shell script and
put your script at the location from where the shell can find it.
Let us understand the steps in creating a Shell Script:
1. Create a file using a vi editor(or any other editor). Name script file
with extension .sh
2. Start the script with #! /bin/sh
3. Write some code.
4. Save the script file as filename.sh
5. For executing the script type bash filename.sh
“#!” is an operator called shebang which directs the script to the interpreter
location. So, if we use”#! /bin/sh” the script gets directed to the bourne-shell.
Let’s create a small script –

#!/bin/sh
ls
Let’s see the steps to create Shell Script Programs in Linux/Unix –
Steps to Create Shell Script in Linux/Unix
Command ‘ls’ is executed when we execute the scrip sample.sh file.
Adding shell comments

Commenting is important in any program. In Shell programming, the syntax to
add a comment is
#comment
Let understand this with an example.
What are Shell Variables?
As discussed earlier, Variables store data in the form of characters and
numbers. Similarly, Shell variables are used to store information and they can
by the shell only.
For example, the following creates a shell variable and then prints it:
variable ="Hello"
echo $variable
Below is a small script which will use a variable.
#!/bin/sh
echo "what is your name?"
read name
echo "How do you do, $name?"
read remark
echo "I am $remark too!"
Let’s understand, the steps to create and execute the script
As you see, the program picked the value of the variable ‘name’ as Joy and
‘remark’ as excellent.
This is a simple script. You can develop advanced scripts which contain
conditional statements, loops, and functions. Shell scripting will make your life
easy and Linux administration a breeze.

Shell Scripting Tutorial

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Shell Scripting Tutorial

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Shell Scripting Tutorial: How to Create

Shell Script in Linux/Unix

This Shell Scripting tutorial helps to learn a basic understanding of the

In this Shell Script tutorial, you will learn-

 What is Shell Scripting?

 POSIX shell also is known as sh

 C shell also is known as csh

We will discuss bash shell based shell scripting in this tutorial.

How to Write Shell Script in Linux/Unix

Let us understand the steps in creating a Shell Script:

Let’s create a small script –

Adding shell comments

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