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1. Bash Scripting By Example
I have never found it easy to learn something new without either a having need to do so or an opportunity of practical application.
No matter how many times I read bash scripting manuals and tutorials it was all just a bunch of hello worlds and loops that count to ten. Nothing much stuck until I had something that I wanted to do.
It was then that I began learning, remembering what I learned and appreciating how useful bash scripting is on a linux system.
There are any number of bash scripting references available I do not intend to write another nor do I presume to be an expert at bash scripting. I learned what I know by going working through other peoples scripts and then filling in the blanks from the man pages and the net.
In the following sections I will present scripts that I have written, explain how they work and in so doing perhaps provide the uninitiated with enough of an understanding of bash scripting to inspire them to open up an editor and get their hands dirty.
I suggest that these articles be read in order as each article will assume that the reader understands what has been introduced in the previous article(s). I will explain only what is required to understand how the scripts work. For further information check the man pages, online resources, etc.
Rick Miles 24/02/2012