Develop your UNIX shell scripting skills in this expert-led ILX course. Designed for IT professionals, you'll gain practical knowledge to write, manage and adapt scripts that simplify system tasks and support operational goals. Ideal for technical teams, administrators and developers alike.
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UNIX Shell Programming
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Course overview
Master UNIX shell scripting for IT automation
Over two days, this ILX UNIX Shell Programming course equips you to write effective scripts that automate common UNIX tasks. With live instruction from industry experts, you’ll build scripting confidence to support consistent, efficient IT operations.
Learning objectives
- Build shell scripts to automate day-to-day operations
- Work with shell variables and substitution
- Apply logic using conditions and loops
- Handle input via command line and prompts
- Create structured, interactive menu systems
- Implement signal trapping and error control
- Integrate AWK for text and data handling
- Use functions to modularise your scripts
What you’ll learn
Learn UNIX shell scripting from the fundamentals up. Through immersive instruction, you’ll build, test and refine scripts that use control structures, handle input, and automate workflows. The course supports real-world application and script management in enterprise environments.
Getting started with shell scripting
Start by exploring what shell scripts are, how they operate and why they’re used in UNIX environments. You’ll learn to write, save and run scripts, use variables effectively, and apply command substitution. This section also covers quoting rules and naming best practices, helping you establish clean, readable code. These scripting fundamentals give you a solid base for building automation and support tasks across IT infrastructure and operations.
Building logic into your scripts
Learn how to structure scripts to make decisions and repeat actions. This session introduces ‘if’ statements, ‘case’ blocks, and loops including ‘for’, ‘while’ and ‘until’. You'll see how to control the script flow based on inputs or system conditions. These tools help you develop scripts that respond intelligently, making automation more adaptable and scripts more powerful in real-world scenarios.
Creating interactive user-driven scripts
Discover how to build scripts that respond to user input. You’ll learn to use the ‘read’ command, work with command-line arguments, and build navigable menus using ‘select’ and ‘case’ statements. These interactive features allow you to create self-service style scripts that simplify tasks, especially useful in team environments where repeatable tools are shared with non-technical users.
Extending scripts with advanced features
Take your scripting to the next level with techniques that make your scripts more efficient and manageable. You’ll work with AWK for text processing, learn to define and reuse functions, and apply trap commands for handling system interrupts. These features improve script reliability and modularity, making your code easier to troubleshoot, scale and maintain across different UNIX environments.
What’s included
- Two-day live online training with ILX instructors
- Access to virtual live labs for hands-on scripting
- Expert-led demonstrations and coaching
- Real-world examples and scripting scenarios
- ILX course completion certificate
- Guidance from experienced UNIX practitioners
Key facts
Ideal for
Administrators, developers and IT support roles seeking to automate UNIX-based tasks, understand existing scripts or build their own reusable shell tools.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of UNIX is essential. Previous experience from a UNIX introduction course or regular UNIX usage is recommended. Familiarity with programming concepts will be helpful but is not mandatory.
Learning experience
Our experienced trainers and interactive labs create a focused, practical environment – so you can put theory into practice from day one.
FAQs
Our UNIX Shell Programming course equips you with the practical skills to write and manage scripts. You’ll explore variables, loops, input handling and more, enabling you to automate processes and strengthen your IT capabilities.
What shell types are covered in the training?
This course covers Bourne shell, Korn shell, Bash and POSIX-compliant syntax - giving you flexibility to work across various UNIX and Linux environments. These shells are widely used in enterprise systems and automation scripts. The course does not include C shell programming, as its syntax and usage differ significantly from the standard shells taught.
What kind of projects or exercises are included?
You’ll write and refine scripts throughout the course using live lab environments that replicate real-life conditions. Interactive exercises include creating menu-driven tools, using loops to process files, working with user input, and adding error handling with traps. These hands-on tasks help reinforce each concept and ensure you're ready to apply your skills directly in your role.
Is this UNIX course helpful for career advancement?
Yes. Shell scripting is a sought-after skill for IT roles in systems administration, DevOps, and support. It enhances your ability to work independently and automate processes.
Can I take this course as part of a team?
Yes. We offer closed group sessions for businesses, which can be tailored to your team’s specific needs and delivered virtually or on-site.
Is this course suitable for advanced UNIX users?
This course is ideal for those with a good working knowledge of UNIX who want to develop structured scripting skills or formalise what they’ve learned on the job. While it starts with scripting fundamentals, it also introduces more advanced techniques such as AWK, functions and error handling. Those seeking deeper scripting capabilities may wish to follow this course with our UNIX Advanced Shell Programming Tools course.
What our customers say
“The course content is well organised, and the instructor was patient and responsive to questions, creating a positive learning environment. His enthusiasm is contagious, making the learning experience enjoyable and motivating.”
Anilkumar, ILX learner
“Thoroughly enjoyed the course, very informative and a good balance between instruction and practical work.”
Megan, ILX learner
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