Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/hands-on-introduction-to-linux-commands-and-shell-scripting

Introduction

# Course Review: Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting on Coursera In today’s technology-driven world, proficiency in Linux and shell scripting is becoming increasingly vital for both aspiring IT professionals and seasoned developers. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of Linux or kickstart your journey into the world of command-line interfaces and automation, Coursera’s course, **"Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting,"** offers a comprehensive, beginner-friendly option tailored to meet your needs. ## Course Overview This course provides students with a practical understanding of common Linux/UNIX shell commands and scripting, delivering essential skills that can be applied immediately in the real world. The course is divided into four main modules, beginning with an introduction to Linux basics and culminating in a hands-on final project that synthesizes everything learned. ## What You Will Learn ### 1. Introduction to Linux The course kicks off with an important foundation, covering the **origins of Linux**, notable **distributions**, and their respective features. You'll dive deep into **Linux architecture**, gain proficiency in using the **terminal**, and master directory navigation. Additionally, you will learn to create and edit files using text editors like **nano** and **Vim**, and become comfortable with a software package manager to perform installations and updates. ### 2. Introduction to Linux Commands In the second module, learners delve into common Linux commands. You will begin to grasp the concept of the **shell** and how to wield its commands effectively. Commands are categorized into various types—informational, navigation, management, and networking—allowing you to extract relevant data and manage files with ease. This module will also cover essential tasks, such as sorting files and utilizing file archiving and compression commands. ### 3. Introduction to Shell Scripting The third module dissects the fundamentals of **shell scripting**. You will learn what scripts are, how to create and run them, as well as the significance of the **shebang interpreter directive**. The course introduces you to **pipes, filters**, and **environment variables**, setting the stage for more complex scripting. Notably, you will also cover **cron jobs**, scheduling tasks to automate repetitive processes, a vital skill in various IT roles. ### 4. Final Project and Final Exam This module is a culmination of your learning journey. You will tackle a practical project focused on creating an **automated ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process** for weather data, giving you real-world application experience. You will also create a peer-graded backup script and validate your acquired knowledge with a final exam. ## Why You Should Enroll Here are a few compelling reasons to consider enrolling in this course: - **Hands-On Learning**: The course emphasizes practical experience, ensuring that theoretical knowledge is paired with real-world application. - **Structured Content**: Each module builds on the last, making the content accessible even if you're starting from scratch. - **Flexible Learning**: Coursera offers flexibility to learn at your own pace, allowing you to balance studies with other commitments. - **Community Support**: The peer-graded projects foster interaction with fellow learners, enhancing your understanding through shared learning experiences. - **Industry Relevance**: Knowledge of Linux commands and shell scripting is an invaluable asset across many IT fields, making you a more competitive candidate in the job market. ## Conclusion Overall, "Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting" on Coursera is a well-rounded course that provides essential Linux skills that are directly applicable in many professional environments. Whether you aspire to become a developer, system administrator, or data scientist, the knowledge gained here will undoubtedly serve as a fundamental building block in your career. I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to enhance their technical skill set and gain confidence in using Linux and shell scripting. Don’t hesitate—embark on your journey to mastering one of the most powerful tools in computing today!

Syllabus

Introduction to Linux

In this module, you will learn about the basics of Linux. You will be able to summarize the origins of the Linux operating system and list its key features and use cases. You will learn what a Linux distribution is, the names of popular distributions, and their key characteristics. You will also be able to explain the Linux architecture, interact with a Linux system using the terminal, and navigate directories using paths and shortcuts. This module will also teach you how to create and edit text files using text editors such as nano and Vim. Lastly, you will learn how to use a software package manager to install and updates on a Linux system.

In this module, you will learn how to use common Linux commands. You will learn what a shell and shell commands are, and how to use commands to do various tasks in Linux. This module will teach you how to use informational commands to find relevant information about your system, navigation commands to navigate files and directories, and management commands to create, delete, copy, and move files and directories. You will also learn to sort and view files in useful ways and extract specific lines and fields from your files. You will be able to use networking commands to examine your network configuration and evaluate, identify, and retrieve data from URLs. Finally, this module will cover file archiving and compression commands.

In this module, you will learn the basics of shell scripting. You will learn what a script is and when to use scripts. You will be able to describe the shebang interpreter directive and create and run a simple shell script. Additionally, this module will teach you how to use pipes and filters and set shell and environment variables. By the end of this module, you will also be able to list features of Bash shell scripting and use crontab to schedule cron jobs, understand the cron syntax, and view and remove cron jobs.

In this module, you will complete a practice project in which you create an automated Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) process to extract daily weather forecasts and observed weather data. You will schedule this process to run automatically at a set time daily and learn how to create a script to measure forecast accuracy. In your peer-graded final project, you will create a scheduled backup script. Finally, you will demonstrate the knowledge you've gained by taking a final graded exam.