Advanced Shell Scripting: Automation & Text Processing

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

10 weeks, 1 hour a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Intermediate
Subtitles

English

Found in

Part of

The Ultimate Linux Shell Scripting Guide

Overview

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This course teaches advanced Linux shell scripting techniques essential for automating tasks and processing data efficiently. Mastering these skills enables professionals to streamline workflows and handle complex scripting scenarios. Learners will develop expertise in script construction, text filtering with grep, sed, and regular expressions, function creation, mathematical operations, and user interface scripting. They will also learn automation using here documents and expect, and powerful data processing with awk. The course combines detailed walkthroughs, practical examples, and interactive quizzes, linking theory with hands-on applications. Each module emphasizes building scripts that solve real-world challenges and enhance productivity. Ideal for IT professionals and intermediate Linux users, the course assumes basic familiarity with shell concepts. Participants looking to strengthen automation, text processing, and scripting skills will benefit the most. Packt is one of the world's most prolific publishers of cutting-edge technical content. For over two decades we've made it our mission to curate and publish the knowledge of only the very best technical experts. We focus on real-world courses that help our customers get the job done, with coverage that extends across a wide range of established and cutting-edge technical topics. If you're an individual or an organisation that embraces learning by doing, Packt is the perfect fit for you. This course is part two of a three-course Specialization designed to provide a comprehensive learning pathway in this subject area. While it delivers standalone value and practical skills, learners seeking a more integrated and in-depth progression may benefit from completing the full Specialization.

Syllabus

Basic Shell Script Construction
- This module introduces the foundational concepts of Bash shell scripting, including working with variables, arrays, tests, loops, and subshells. Learners will gain hands-on experience creating scripts for automation, handling user input, and managing exit codes. Practical labs reinforce skills in writing, modifying, and troubleshooting basic shell scripts.
Filtering Text with grep, sed, and Regular Expressions
- This module introduces powerful text processing tools in Unix-like systems, focusing on using grep, sed, and regular expressions for searching, filtering, and editing text files. Learners will practice real-world scenarios such as modifying documents, performing substitutions, and automating repetitive tasks. By the end, you'll be able to efficiently manipulate and extract information from large text datasets.
Understanding Functions
- This module introduces the use of functions in shell scripting, emphasizing how to organize reusable code and create function libraries for efficient script maintenance. Learners will explore practical techniques for defining, calling, and passing values with functions, culminating in a hands-on project utilizing external APIs.
Performing Mathematical Operations
- This module introduces methods for performing both integer and floating point mathematical operations within various operating system shells. Learners will explore the use of expressions, variables, and utilities like expr, echo, and bc to execute calculations in command-line and scripting contexts. Practical tips for handling number formats and advanced functions are also provided.
Automating Scripts with here Documents and expect
- This module introduces techniques for automating shell scripts using here documents and the expect tool. Learners will discover how to generate dynamic script content, incorporate functions, and automate interactive responses, while considering security implications in automation workflows.
Scripting with ImageMagick
- This module introduces learners to automating image processing tasks using ImageMagick's command-line tools. You will explore how to convert formats, resize images, extract metadata, and efficiently batch-process images with shell scripting. Practical demonstrations will help you streamline repetitive graphics tasks without relying on graphical interfaces.
Using awk–Part 1
- This module introduces the fundamentals of using awk for text processing and automation in Unix-like environments. Learners will explore how to integrate awk into shell scripts, utilize patterns and actions for data extraction, and enhance text searches with regular expressions. Practical examples include parsing system files and webserver logs to extract meaningful information.
Using awk–Part 2
- This module delves into advanced awk scripting techniques, including the use of conditionals, loops, arrays, and floating point operations for powerful data processing. Learners will gain hands-on experience automating tasks and manipulating complex datasets within shell environments. Real-world scenarios, such as system compatibility checks and language data handling, are explored to solidify practical skills.
Creating User Interfaces with yad, dialog, and xdialog
- This module introduces techniques for enhancing shell scripts with both graphical and text-based user interfaces using yad, dialog, and Xdialog. Learners will explore how to create interactive forms, drop-down lists, and GUI front-ends for common utilities, as well as automate interface selection based on system environment. Practical examples demonstrate how to streamline workflows and improve user experience in shell scripting.
Using Shell Options with getops
- This module introduces the use of getopts for handling command-line options in shell scripts, comparing it with getopt, and demonstrates practical applications through real-world scripting examples. Learners will gain hands-on experience in building flexible and user-friendly command-line utilities.