What is a Bash script?

A Bash script is a shell script that contains a series of commands for the Bash programming language in Unix and Linux environments. The script is a plain text file that serves much like the script of a play or movie in that it tells the computer what to do and in what order to perform certain tasks. The contents of the script are commands that you can otherwise run on the command line individually—the only difference is that you've combined multiple commands into a single script.

Why learn Bash scripting?

Bash scripting can save you time and effort, especially if you have to run the same series of commands on a regular basis. If you ran each instruction individually on the command line, the effort can be time-consuming, but putting them into a script to run in Bash allows you to put multiple commands into the same file. A Bash script allows you to automate tasks that you have to repeat regularly so that you don't have to enter each command over and over again. Since Bash is such a common Unix language, you can use the scripts you create on any Linux computer using that language.

What are typical careers that use Bash scripting?

If you're a system administrator, having a general knowledge of shell scripting is important, but Bash scripting will allow you to find a career in any workplace that relies on the Bash programming language. There are plenty of jobs you can get as a Linux system administrator that will allow you to put your Bash scripting skills to use every day. You can also find jobs developing Unix software applications or working in a data center. DevOps careers rely on a thorough knowledge of Bash scripts for automation as well.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn Bash scripting?

Online courses on Coursera can help you add Bash script writing to your list of valuable tools whether you're looking for advancement at your current workplace or you want to strike out into a new career. If you're new to the Unix or Linex environments, you might start out with a foundations course that helps you understand how it works. If you're a seasoned pro, you can learn how to automate using Bash scripts in a host of applications.

What are the benefits of taking an online Bash Script course?

Online Bash Script courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Bash Script skills. With a wide range of Bash Script classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Bash Script career skills.

What Bash Script courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Bash Script, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Bash Script Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Bash Script Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
IBM
Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting
Skills you'll gain: Linux Commands, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, File Management, Linux, Unix Commands, Linux Servers, Scripting, Command-Line Interface, Ubuntu, Scripting Languages, Unix, Operating Systems, Network Protocols, Automation, Software Installation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Unix and Bash for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: Package and Software Management, User Accounts, Unix Commands, Unix, Bash (Scripting Language), Command-Line Interface, Kubernetes, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, OS Process Management, Firewall, Ubuntu, Docker (Software), Containerization, Network Monitoring, Unix Shell, File Systems, Shell Script, TCP/IP, Version Control
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
107 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Bash Shell Scripting
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Unix Shell, Scripting, Linux Commands, Unix Commands, Scripting Languages, Command-Line Interface, Linux, File Management, Unix, File Systems
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
676 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Bash Scripting and System Configuration
Skills you'll gain: Package and Software Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Version Control, Unix Shell, Ubuntu, Shell Script, Scripting, Unix, Unix Commands, Linux, System Configuration, Linux Administration, File Management, Programming Principles, Software Installation
3.1
Rating, 3.1 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Packt
Learn Bash Shell Scripting for Automation
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Unix Shell, Scripting, Linux Commands, Windows PowerShell, Linux, IT Automation, Unix Commands, Unix, Debugging, Automation, Remote Access Systems, Command-Line Interface, Ubuntu, Development Environment, System Monitoring, Data Structures, Restful API, File Management
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Back-End Development
Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Kubernetes, Software Development Life Cycle, Istio, Software Architecture, Linux Commands, Application Deployment, NoSQL, Bash (Scripting Language), MongoDB, Shell Script, Django (Web Framework), Object-Relational Mapping, OpenShift, Git (Version Control System), Flask (Web Framework), Grafana, Microservices, Data Import/Export, Python Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
51K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

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Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Linux and Bash for Data Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Linux Commands, Shell Script, Linux, Linux Administration, Unix Shell, File Management, Unix, Unix Commands, File Systems, Scripting, Command-Line Interface, Remote Access Systems, Data Manipulation, Data Processing, Data Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
130 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
Linux Shell Scripting - Advanced
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Unix Shell, Scripting, Scripting Languages, Linux Commands, Unix Commands, Linux, Command-Line Interface, Unix, User Interface (UI), Graphical Tools
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Preview
University of California San Diego
Linux Tools for Text Processing
Skills you'll gain: Linux Commands, Linux, Unix Commands, Shell Script, Linux Administration, Data Processing, Text Mining, Command-Line Interface, Data Manipulation, Unix, Scripting, Automation, File Management
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Google
Google Network Security
Skills you'll gain: Hardening, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Incident Response, Network Architecture, Network Security, Computer Security Incident Management, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Incident Management, Network Protocols, Threat Detection, Event Monitoring, Threat Management, Network Infrastructure, Security Controls, Cybersecurity, System Monitoring, Operating Systems, Linux, Bash (Scripting Language), Databases
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Preview
Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
Linux Commands & Shell Scripting
Skills you'll gain: Linux Commands, Shell Script, Unix Commands, Operating System Administration, Systems Administration, Data Storage, Data Management, Process Management, Software Development, Computer Security
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
JavaScript for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: jQuery, Javascript and jQuery, Ajax, Javascript, Data Manipulation, Data Validation, UI Components, HTML and CSS, Scripting, JSON, Scripting Languages, Event-Driven Programming, Web Development Tools, JavaScript Frameworks, Web Applications, Web Design and Development, Game Design, Application Programming Interface (API), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Animations
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months