How to learn shell programming in simplest way
 

How to learn shell programming in simplest way

Welcome to the forums.

There a plenty of resources available online - just google for what you're looking for.

The links at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_...External_links should get you started, though.

Good luck!

The best way I have found is to solve practical real world problems that affect you. This gives you both incentive and a requirement

I have spent my entire computing life with Microsoft, Since the Demise of the Apple II's Starting at DOS and Windows 3.1. The common element in productivity in learning has always been solving real world problems. Find a problem and fix it.

I constantly get asked... "But what can this fandangled Linux thing do"? The answer is always "anything you want"!

You have to decide what you want from the system, the program, the routine you want to build. Which brings us to, "You must have a purpose".

Linux, The Shell and the underlying system offers enough tools and variety of interfaces to accomplish any task. From running calculations for the Large Hadron Collider to driving the entertainment systems in cars and your freindly neighbourhood PVR.

The freedom offered by the Open Source system is boundless. This is where the complications arise. Most people are not used to thinking and analysing for themselves. "Oh but it's so complicated" you hear. No it's not! Most people don't what they want now that they're faced with a multitude of choices, all of which have they have to decide for themselves :)

Due to the total freedom that open source (FOSS), in combination with Linux's accessability delivers, asking "where should I start"? is similar to asking "how long is a peice of string" :)

Find a problem, start reading and let yourself get distracted. It's a wonderful exploritory experience!

Good luck.

We look forward to downloading your scripts and hacking at them ;-)

The simplest way is to start writing scripts. I would start with the Bash Guide for Beginners---free download here:
http://www.tldp.org/guides.html

No skill worth having ever came easy.
Linux is self-serve.

Alien's Bash Tutorial

There's no shortcut! Just pick a book, start reading, understanding & writing small & easy scripts. One by one go through all chapters and keep practising and solve the assignments.
Give yourself challanges, as practice is only way to reach to your goal. If you stuck at any point, you can return to this forum... We'll be happy to help you! Good luck!

Shell Programming
 

OP: do you mean "shell programming" or "shell scripting"?

Shell programming is programming focused on creating a new or modified shell. This is how provate versions of BASH, NBASH, VNBASH, NBSD, NZSH, etc came about as programmers made private shells that implemented their own 'improvements', the best of which have been folded into the current mainstream shells.

Shell scripting is creating shell scripts to solve problems or automate complex tasks USING the shell.

These are two very different things. Most of the answers already mentioned relate to shell scripting, not shell programming. (Both are GREAT fun and good to know!)

The correct answer depends directly on the real meaning of your question. Can you clarify?

Member Response
 

Hi,

Look at these to enhance your experience;

onebuck,
great set of bedtime reading, seriously, a good collection of stuff even if not all about scripting.

Fred.

Member Response
 

Hi,
You might want too look at a few before making a statement.
Everything I suggested will help a newbie advance their skills, more than casual reading. You can learn a lot from these references to build your understanding about scripting.

Hope this clears things a bit. :)

Next time, I suggest that you look before you leap!