Strengthen your command-line skills with this instructor-led UNIX and shell scripting course. From essential navigation to advanced scripting, you’ll gain the practical knowledge to customise environments, write scripts and streamline operations with clarity and assurance.
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UNIX Fundamentals
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Course overview
Strengthen your UNIX and shell scripting toolkit
Over five days, this course helps you build solid UNIX and shell scripting skills for real-life application. Learn to work efficiently within UNIX environments by managing files, editing text, writing custom scripts and automating processes – all while developing the confidence to apply your skills in business scenarios.
Learning objectives
- Explore the UNIX file structure and navigation commands
- Manage files and directories using core command-line tools
- Use vi/Vim to edit and search files effectively
- Write and execute structured shell scripts
- Handle user input and script output cleanly
- Apply variables, loops and conditional logic
- Adapt the shell environment for task efficiency
- Work with sed and AWK for powerful data handling
- Create scripts with menus and reusable functions
- Understand and apply file permission techniques
What you’ll learn
Build your UNIX knowledge with focused, instructor-led training. Through hands-on live labs and instructor-led sessions, you’ll gain experience working with shell commands, automating tasks and developing scripts that deliver efficiency across technical teams and support environments.
Introduction to UNIX and core tools
Begin with the foundations of UNIX, learning how the file system is structured and how to navigate it using absolute and relative paths. You’ll practise creating and managing files and directories, working with wildcard characters and chaining commands using logical operators. By mastering redirection, piping and basic command syntax, you’ll build confidence in using the command line. This introductory section lays the groundwork for more complex scripting by helping you understand the operating system’s core behaviours and functions.
Editing, searching and shell command history
In this module, you’ll develop the skills to edit files directly in UNIX using vi/Vim. You’ll learn to use different editing modes, apply undo/redo functions and tailor the editor to your preferences. This session also covers powerful text search and replace techniques using regular expressions, grep and sed. Additionally, you’ll explore how to recall and modify previous commands using features within the Bash and Korn shells. This helps you work more efficiently, reducing duplication and improving consistency across tasks.
Shell scripting fundamentals and automation
Learn to write practical shell scripts that streamline repetitive tasks and reduce manual input. You’ll create scripts using variables, control structures, and loops such as while, for and until. You’ll also incorporate user input through command-line arguments and runtime prompts. Exercises will show you how to format outputs, handle data logically and automate sequences of actions. By the end of this module, you’ll have a strong grasp of creating flexible and reliable scripts suitable for day-to-day use in IT operations.
Scripting logic, functions and error handling
This final section introduces more advanced scripting capabilities, giving you the tools to manage complexity and ensure reliability. You’ll build multi-branch logic using case and select statements, and design menu-driven scripts for better user interaction. You’ll also create reusable functions and explore how to trap signals like interrupts, helping your scripts behave predictably even in unexpected scenarios. With additional exposure to AWK scripting for data handling, you’ll finish the course with scripts that are modular, robust and maintainable.
What’s included
- Five days of virtual, expert-led training
- Structured, scenario-based UNIX live lab activities
- Full support from experienced UNIX trainers
- Flexible access via ILX’s live virtual classrooms
- Reusable course materials for future reference
- Certificate of completion
Key facts
Ideal for
Support engineers, systems teams and administrators who want to understand UNIX systems, streamline workflows, and script effectively for day-to-day operations.
Prerequisites
A technical background is helpful, but no previous UNIX knowledge is necessary. A working understanding of computing environments will help you get the most out of this course.
Learning experience
Our experienced trainers and interactive labs create a focused, practical environment – so you can put theory into practice from day one.
FAQs
This hands-on ILX course equips you with the tools to understand UNIX and automate tasks using scripting techniques – helping you gain technical control and work more efficiently.
What’s the difference between UNIX and Linux?
UNIX is a family of operating systems with a long history in enterprise environments. Linux is a popular open-source implementation of UNIX. Skills learned on this course apply to both systems due to shared structure and behaviour.
What practical skills will I gain from this course?
You’ll gain real-world skills in navigating UNIX, editing files with vi/Vim, managing permissions, writing scripts, automating tasks and customising the user environment – all applicable to system administration and support roles. These skills can help improve your productivity and reduce reliance on manual processes.
Can I take this course if I’ve never used the command line before?
Absolutely. The course starts with the basics, including command syntax, file handling and system navigation, before progressing to more complex scripting and automation topics. It’s designed to build confidence steadily, so you can learn effectively no matter your starting point.
What tools and commands will I use?
You’ll work with tools like vi, grep, sed, awk, find, and commands for file management, redirection, piping, permissions, and process control – all common in professional UNIX environments. You’ll also learn to combine these tools in scripts to perform sophisticated tasks quickly and accurately.
Are ILX’s shell scripting courses suitable for professional development?
Yes, our shell scripting courses are designed to support professional growth by teaching real-world skills used in system administration, DevOps, and IT support roles. You’ll learn how to automate routine tasks, manage systems more efficiently, and apply scripting techniques that are highly valued across technical environments. Whether you're new to scripting or looking to formalise your experience, this course provides a solid foundation and a practical step forward in your technical career.
What our customers say
“Good structure to the course. Each technical aspect was broken down by the instructor and theory explained with practical examples, which aided understanding. Pace was good - fast enough to keep engaged, and not too overwhelming. The documentation provided by instructor was also very good.”
Ross, ILX Learner
“Very well laid out and the instructor did an amazing job of explaining things in detail.”
Ali, ILX Learner
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