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, Linux, Unix Commands, Linux Administration, Unix, Command-Line Interface, Scripting, OS Process Management, File Systems, File Management, Automation, Network Protocols
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Bash Shell Scripting
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Unix Shell, Scripting, Scripting Languages, Linux Commands, Unix Commands, Unix, Command-Line Interface, Linux, File Management
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
674 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Back-End Development
Skills you'll gain: Serverless Computing, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Software Development Life Cycle, OpenShift, Kubernetes, Linux Commands, GitHub, Software Architecture, MongoDB, Istio, Flask (Web Framework), Bash (Scripting Language), NoSQL, Docker (Software), Development Environment, Object-Relational Mapping, System Monitoring, Microservices, Jupyter, Python Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
50K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Packt
Ansible for the Absolute Beginner - Hands-On - DevOps
Skills you'll gain: Ansible, YAML, IT Automation, Devops Tools, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Automation, Systems Administration, File Management, System Configuration, Configuration Management, Virtual Machines
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
EDUCBA
Command Mastery and Unix Help Tools
Skills you'll gain: Unix Shell, Unix Commands, Unix, Shell Script, Bash (Scripting Language), Command-Line Interface, Linux Commands, Linux, Software Documentation
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft JavaScript Starter Kit
Skills you'll gain: GitHub, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Event-Driven Programming, Git (Version Control System), Responsive Web Design, Version Control, TypeScript, React.js, Debugging, Web Development, UI Components, Web Development Tools, Application Performance Management, Application Programming Interface (API), Continuous Integration, Software Development Tools, Restful API, Javascript, Development Environment, Scripting
3.9
Rating, 3.9 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

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Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Full-Stack JavaScript Developer
Skills you'll gain: Serverless Computing, Full-Stack Web Development, Software Development Life Cycle, Node.JS, Restful API, Cloud-Native Computing, OpenShift, Kubernetes, CI/CD, GitHub, Software Architecture, React Redux, Web Development Tools, Microservices, Istio, MongoDB, Agile Methodology, Javascript, Professional Networking, Azure DevOps
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
8K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Pearson
Practical Windows PowerShell Scripting
Skills you'll gain: Windows PowerShell, Active Directory, Scripting, Network Monitoring, IT Automation, Network Performance Management, Event Monitoring, System Monitoring, Remote Access Systems, User Accounts, Windows Servers, Microsoft Windows, Systems Administration, Scripting Languages, Command-Line Interface, Network Administration, Microsoft Servers, Server Administration, User Interface (UI), Authentications
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Packt
Learn Bash Shell Scripting for Automation
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Scripting, Linux Commands, IT Automation, Unix Commands, Unix, Linux Servers, Linux, Automation, Command-Line Interface, Restful API, Maintainability, System Monitoring, Remote Access Systems
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Programming with JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Javascript, Node.JS, Unit Testing, Scripting, Programming Principles, Web Development, Computer Programming, JSON, Web Applications, Debugging, Event-Driven Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Package and Software Management, Functional Design, Front-End Web Development, Data Structures
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
JavaScript for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: jQuery, Javascript and jQuery, Javascript, Ajax, Debugging, Event-Driven Programming, Scripting, HTML and CSS, UI Components, Programming Principles, JSON, Data Manipulation, Scripting Languages, Application Programming Interface (API), Web Development Tools, Maintainability, Data Validation, Video Game Development, Integrated Development Environments, API Gateway
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Introduction to Scripting in Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Plot (Graphics), Data Manipulation, Package and Software Management, Data Integration, Data Analysis, Data Access, Data Processing, Python Programming, File Management, Data Structures, Data Import/Export, Software Documentation, Programming Principles, Technical Documentation, Data Storage, Computational Logic, Data Management, Scripting
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months