Introduction

Welcome to the BASH Scripting Hands-On Lab! In this lab, you'll delve into the world of BASH scripting, a powerful tool for automating tasks and managing Linux systems efficiently. The shell is the primary command line interface for Unix/Linux systems, with the Bourne Again Shell (BASH) being one of the most popular and widely used variants. Developed in 1987 by Brian Fox, BASH extends the capabilities of the original Bourne shell, offering advanced features and ease of use. BASH scripting allows you to automate sequences of commands, turning repetitive tasks into streamlined processes. By creating and executing BASH scripts, you can improve productivity, ensure consistency, and handle complex operations with ease.

In this lab, you'll gain hands-on experience with key BASH scripting features and learn how to leverage them for practical applications. Get ready to enhance your scripting skills and make your command line operations more efficient!

Lab Questions and Answers: 1.1 Core Concepts

1. Which of the following are practical applications of BASH scripting?

(select all that apply)

A. Detecting malware.

B. Automating repetitive tasks.

C. Creating custom tools for your specific needs.

D. Managing Active Directory user accounts.

Answer: B, C

2. A data structure consisting of sequenced elements is a(n):

A. Conditional

B. Array

C. Loop

D. String Operator

Answer: B

Lab Questions and Answers: 1.2 Guided Exercise

1. There is a file called flag.sh under /home/cybrary. In a terminal window, run the flag.sh script. You should receive a flag if you have completed all of the scripts in this exercise. What is the flag?

Answer: BashScriptMaster

Lab Questions and Answers: 1.3 Challenge Exercise

1. In the first script, what is the corrected code for line 1?

Answer: #!/bin/bash

2. In the first script, what is the corrected variable name for lines 7 and 9?

Answer: $backup_folder

3. The first script is supposed to back up shell scripts. Which line is causing the wrong type of file to be backed up?

Answer: 13

4. In the second script, what is the first line that contains an error?
Answer: 7

5. In the second script, what is the correct syntax for the first line that contains an error?
Answer: arrayLength=${#fruits[@]}

6. In the second script, what is the second line that contains an error?
Answer: 18

7. In the second script, what is the correct syntax for the second line that contains an error?
Answer: for fruit in ${fruits[@]}

Conclusion

In this lab, you learned essential BASH scripting techniques, including crafting powerful one-liners, using arrays, and creating reusable scripts. You practiced combining commands with pipes, manipulating arrays, and automating tasks with scripts. These skills will enhance your ability to streamline processes and manage Linux systems efficiently. With these fundamentals, you're equipped to tackle more advanced scripting tasks and automate complex workflows. Keep practicing and exploring to further develop your BASH scripting expertise.