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, Unix Shell, Linux, Unix Commands, Linux Servers, Command-Line Interface, Scripting Languages, Unix, Operating Systems, Network Protocols, OS Process Management, Automation, Software Installation
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, 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
667 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
JavaScript for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: jQuery, Javascript and jQuery, Ajax, Javascript, Data Validation, UI Components, HTML and CSS, Scripting, JSON, Scripting Languages, Web Development Tools, JavaScript Frameworks, Web Applications, Web Design and Development, Event-Driven Programming, Game Design, Application Programming Interface (API), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Animations, Programming Principles
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Programming with JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Javascript, Unit Testing, Web Applications, Programming Principles, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Event-Driven Programming, Node.JS, JSON, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Debugging, Package and Software Management, Program Development, Functional Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Full-Stack JavaScript Developer
Skills you'll gain: Istio, HTML and CSS, Node.JS, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Server Side, MongoDB, Application Deployment, CI/CD, Cloud-Native Computing, React Redux, NoSQL, Kubernetes, Restful API, OpenShift, Git (Version Control System), Cloud Applications, Containerization, Ajax, Interviewing Skills
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
7.3K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Michigan State University
Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course)
Skills you'll gain: Peer Review, Writing, Editing, Storytelling, Proofreading, Creativity
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
774 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: New AI skills
Google
Google Cybersecurity
Skills you'll gain: Threat Modeling, Network Security, Threat Management, Incident Response, Vulnerability Management, Computer Security Incident Management, Hardening, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Cyber Attacks, Cybersecurity, Network Protocols, Professional Networking, Bash (Scripting Language), Operating Systems, Security Controls, Stakeholder Communications, Debugging, Interviewing Skills, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
51K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Tools of the Trade: Linux and SQL
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Operating Systems, File Systems, Linux Commands, Linux, SQL, Unix, Database Management, Command-Line Interface, Relational Databases, Authorization (Computing), Authentications, User Accounts
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Michigan State University
Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film Or Television
Skills you'll gain: Storyboarding, Writing, Writing and Editing, Storytelling, Peer Review
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
279 reviews
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM DevOps and Software Engineering
Skills you'll gain: CI/CD, Istio, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Continuous Integration, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Linux Commands, Agile Software Development, Unit Testing, Cloud Computing Architecture, Application Deployment, Test Driven Development (TDD), Gherkin (Scripting Language), Jenkins, Kubernetes, Bash (Scripting Language), DevOps, Git (Version Control System), Jupyter, Grafana
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
60K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers
Skills you'll gain: HTML and CSS, Javascript, Responsive Web Design, Ajax, Front-End Web Development, Web Design, Web Applications, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Browser Compatibility, Web Development, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Usability, Cross Platform Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Back-End Development
Skills you'll gain: Istio, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Linux Commands, Unit Testing, Object-Relational Mapping, Application Deployment, NoSQL, Kubernetes, Bash (Scripting Language), MongoDB, Shell Script, OpenShift, Git (Version Control System), Cloud Applications, Containerization, GitHub, Jupyter, Grafana
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
49K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months