If I want to get an entry level linux admin job, what skills should I start learning?
Currently have A+, Network+, about to take Linux Essentials, and 1 year of Help Desk job.


And second, I'm learning Bash scripting (or is it shell scripting? same thing?) from a book. Is this something I should continue learning, or is it being replaced with scripting in other languages.
Can you do with a python script everything that you can do with a shell script? I haven't been able to find any books on amazon the teach how to write linux scripts in python, so what are some good resources to learn?

BASH is Bourne Again Shell (original Bourne shell was just sh and these days that is often linked to bash). Other shells such as KornShell (ksh) were enhancements on Bourne shell. Writing for any these to interpret is indeed "shell scripting". I'd recommend understanding that kind of shell scripting first as it will server you well on almost any Linux/UNIX system because by default you'll be logged into a shell.

There are other "shells" such as csh which is quite different from the Bourne derived shells. They're available also on most Linux/UNIX systems but these days aren't as prevalent in use as the others.

Also "scripting" as you suggest might be any number of things such as Python, Perl, PHP etc...

I've been doing systems administration for the last 25+ years mainly using Bourne shell and its cousins (mostly bash these days - used to do mostly ksh before Linux). Though I've written in Perl and delved into other scripting/coding I get by well in just bash/ksh. It often amazes me how many admins don't even know how to script in bash/ksh. Doing ad hoc scripts and loops save tons of time.

I agree with MensaWater; bash scripting is pretty ubiquitous, and will save you TONS of time in the future, but **DO NOT** approach things with the attitude of "I only need to learn one"...you do not. The more knowledge you have, the better you can do your job. Learn Python...and perl, bash, and whatever else you can get your hands on. It's not a race, and you don't have to master it the first day, but BEGIN.

And if you want to be an admin, you need to learn admin skills. How do you configure service(x)?? Doesn't matter what...but research/read up on how to configure things. Load up NTP, SMTP, NFS, <whatever> on your own Linux system. Learn where configs typically go, how to diagnose issues when they WON'T start (where to look for logs and how to figure that out). Differences between systemd and non-systemd systems. Learn how to logically walk a chain, to figure out things and how to troubleshoot. It's always easy to say "Well, you just had to edit /etc/xxxxx, and change line 15 to get the problem fixed!!!", but getting TO that solution is what makes you valuable to an employer.

You'll get asked how you would approach things if xxx isn't working. What would you check? How would you check it? THOSE are admin-related tasks that you'll spend your days doing. Writing a script to HELP you do such things is just another tool in your toolbox.

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Hi,

I'll chime in here a bit. Diagnostic techniques are valuable for any admin. Lot of what has been said by fellow LQ members are valid suggestions. But to identify, learn and verify issues can be a challenge. Once you know the system and how to break down a problem to lead you to a solution is very important. Learn to use the proper tools to help diagnose issues. Logs can be very helpful to identify and provide the pathway to getting things working again.

Try to keep things simple whenever possible. Looking at the whole picture at once can sometimes complicate problem solving. Once you know how to break things down to the simplest terms then you will soon be able to take the required steps to solve things. No one can look at equation as a whole but must break it down to lead to the solution/answer therefore understanding by breaking down and flowing through the equation.

I suggest that you look at 'man bash' and the following; Hardware issues may require one to use tools to identify the problem.
Maybe this will help; Tools, Recovery, Diagnostic, Emergency to provide tools.
Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!

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https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Shell...VP288K87VBB69A

This book was last published in 2005.
Would this be outdated at all for learning bash scripting?

Not outdated, but you asked for a Linux job specifically. This book seems to cover the Bourne Shell, whereas the standard on Linux distros is the Bash ("Born Again Shell", one of the many puns you encounter in open source software names).

Perhaps "Learning the bash Shell" is more pertinent.

If OP really wants to learn bash and not sh, I can suggest bash Cookbook: Solutions and Examples for bash Users 2nd Edition as well. Pay attention to the 2nd edition which is recent (end of 2017). Otherwise, you can find the 1st edition (2007) on the Internet.
I've just bought the 2nd edition. So far, it's a pretty good read

"Bourne Again Shell"