Linux Command Line and Shell Scripting Bible 5th Edition

Wiley, 2025

by Richard Blum and Christine Bresnahan



Description

In the newly revised fifth edition of Linux Command Line and Shell Scripting Bible, experienced system and network administrator Richard Blum delivers an up-to-date and authoritative discussion of the fundamentals of shell scripting in Linux, as well as the advanced topics, working examples, and real-world applications that equip you to administer Linux systems.

The book includes usable scripts and brand-new coverage for DevOps engineers interested in deploying applications on a variety of Linux distributions and cloud platforms while minimizing compatibility issues. You'll also find:

Concrete strategies and practical tips to help you understand the Linux Shell and write basic script utilities
Step-by-step instructions on how to schedule scripts to run automatically to perform standard Linux administration and DevOps functions for you
Easy-to-follow tutorials of alternative shells, including zsh, tcsh, and the Korn shell
Advanced shell scripting techniques, including functions, sed, gawk, and regular expressions

Perfect for aspiring and practicing Linux system administrators, Linux Command Line and Shell Scripting Bible is also a must-read for anyone who uses a Linux at home or at work.

Table of Contents

Introduction xxxi

Part I: The Linux Command Line 1

Chapter 1: Starting with Linux Shells 3

Chapter 2: Getting to the Shell 17

Chapter 3: Basic Bash Shell Commands 37

Chapter 4: More Bash Shell Commands 69

Chapter 5: Understanding the Shell 93

Chapter 6: Using Linux Environment Variables 113

Chapter 7: Understanding Linux File Permissions 137

Chapter 8: Managing Filesystems 161

Chapter 9: Installing Software 181

Chapter 10: Working with Editors 201

Part II: Shell Scripting Basics 229

Chapter 11: Basic Script Building 231

Chapter 12: Using Structured Commands 257

Chapter 13: More Structured Commands 291

Chapter 14: Handling User Input 319

Chapter 15: Presenting Data 347

Chapter 16: Script Control 369

Part III: Advanced Shell Scripting 397

Chapter 17: Creating Functions 399

Chapter 18: Writing Scripts for Graphical Desktops 421

Chapter 19: Introducing sed and gawk 449

Chapter 20: Regular Expressions 477

Chapter 21: Advanced sed 497

Chapter 22: Advanced gawk 527

Part IV: Working with Alternative Shells 555

Chapter 23: The zsh Shell 557

Chapter 24: The tcsh Shell 583

Chapter 25: The Korn Shell 611

Appendix A: Quick Guide to Bash Commands 633

Appendix B: Quick Guide to sed and gawk 647

Index 659

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