Which scripting language to learn for Linux Administration
 

Which scripting language to learn for Linux Administration? Python, Ruby, Perl, or PHP?

Thanks

Hi,

primary is use ksh, perl and python for my job. Some knowledge of C is definitely a plus.

The most important scripting language for Linux administration is BASH

Hi,

i agree with dugan that bash is definitely the Linux standard shell. But in case you require your script running on different *nix OS i would prefer ksh which is available on any *nix and on Linux.

Mostly agree with the previous two posters, but IMO for portability script in Bourne shell.

bash sed awk, be sure to learn how regular expressions work and how to use them. When you get those three down any other language is trivial to write in with a refrence manual beside you.

As for bash vs ksh, the two are close enough for a beginner to start with either. There are small differences between the two and.knowing those difference will never hurt.

Moved to Programming.

You are going to need to know some level of bash scripting, for sure. After that, almost any of the ones you listed are probably equally useful. Your choice should probably be dictated by existing work. If you have to maintain code written by someone else or vice versa, it is obvious that you will need to know something about the language used. In previous years it would be hard to go far wrong with Perl, but if you're starting from a greenfield setting, Python might be a better choice.
--- rod.