Learn the Command Line and Learn Bash Scripting completed. Where to go now?

Computer Science
1

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently completed the Command Line and Bash Scripting courses.
I’ve found these topics fascinating and would love to continue exploring them in more depth.

Could anyone recommend any good books on command-line usage and Bash scripting?

I’ve come across these two but are quite dated:

  • Learning the Unix Operating System, 5th Edition (O’Reilly Media, Inc.)
  • Learning the bash Shell, 3rd Edition (O’Reilly Media, Inc.)

I’m interested in delving deeper into shell scripting and command-line tools. My primary goal is to learn Python, but I’m also keen on automating tasks on my Mac to enhance productivity.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to anyone who can help,
Enrico

2

Python is a good next step. Once you get your feet wet with all the basics you can venture down the command line side of running Python script in the terminal. Most people might suggest VSCode with Python installed alongside in one go. Personally, I recommend going to python.org and downloading the latest version of IDLE.

Once installed, we can run Python from the command line, but I would still hold off on that until you are fairly fluent with Python and comfortable using the IDLE Shell and the provided text editor. Be sure to install a shortcut on the taskbar which will open the Shell. From the File menu you can open the editor. File > New File.

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3

Thanks for the reply. I’ve actually already started the Python 3 course.

So, you don’t think I should also look into purchasing a book to expand my knowledge of the command line and Bash Scripting?

Thanks again

4

Careful, I don’t think that was suggested. By all means, books, especially current ones from within the last decade, are invaluable since they can be kept right at hand and accessed off line. We can take a book to the beach, on a camping trip, or just read it in bed. We can underline and highlight and bookmark and paste sticky notes in them. Online resources are just not that usable.

What I would say is check the book reviews before laying out a lot of money, as most books are anything but inexpensive. I have shelves full of books that are only collecting dust and they are out of date and no longer useful.

If you are inclined to read off line and study and experiment on your own, then look to SitePoint for quality books on most subjects relating to web and software development. They have (had) a Premium plan for about 100$ per year that allowed access to their whole collection of books, and ebooks (an affordable alternative) and even offer free ebooks on a regular basis. I was a member for many years but now in retirement have no real need of it.

Enjoy your studies!

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