Classic Shell Scripting

09/01/2011 · No Responses

Shell scripting skills never go out of style. It’s the shell that unlocks the real potential of Unix. Shell scripting is essential for Unix users and system administrators-a way to quickly harness and customize the full power of any Unix system. With shell scripts, you can combine the fundamental Unix text and file processing commands to crunch data and automate repetitive tasks. But beneath this simple promise lies a treacherous ocean of variations in Unix commands and standards. Classic Shell Scripting is written to help you reliably navigate these tricky waters.

Writing shell scripts requires more than just a knowledge of the shell language, it also requires familiarity with the individual Unix programs: why each one is there, how to use them by themselves, and in combination with the other programs. The authors are intimately familiar with the tips and tricks that can be used to create excellent scripts, as well as the traps that can make your best effort a bad shell script. With Classic Shell Scripting you’ll avoid hours of wasted effort. You’ll learn not only write useful shell scripts, but how to do it properly and portably.

The ability to program and customize the shell quickly, reliably, and portably to get the best out of any individual system is an important skill for anyone operating and maintaining Unix or Linux systems. Classic Shell Scripting gives you everything you need to master these essential skills.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Background
Chapter 2. Getting Started
Chapter 3. Searching and Substitutions
Chapter 4. Text Processing Tools
Chapter 5. Pipelines Can Do Amazing Things
Chapter 6. Variables, Making Decisions, and Repeating Actions
Chapter 7. Input and Output, Files, and Command Evaluation
Chapter 8. Production Scripts
Chapter 9. Enough awk to Be Dangerous
Chapter 10. Working with Files
Chapter 11. Extended Example: Merging User Databases
Chapter 12. Spellchecking
Chapter 13. Processes
Chapter 14. Shell Portability Issues and Extensions
Chapter 15. Secure Shell Scripts: Getting Started
Chapter 16. Bibliography