The Linux and Unix command line interface provides a very powerful set of applications and programming tools that enable the user to unleash the full potential of Linux or Unix.
The course covers how to create simple yet powerful commands, to use the programming constructs to automate tasks, to simplify the administration of the system and how to create shell scripts or command files. The course looks at using the shell in an efficient manner, and how to write commands and scripts that take a fraction of the time a badly constructed script would take thus freeing up resources and time.

The course is based on the Bourne, Korn or Bash shell and is structured around a textbook with practical exercises.

Course content:

1. Review the role of the Kernel and the Shell
2. Examine the process life cycle
3. Examine in-built shell functions
4. Look at file name meta-characters
5. Perform I/O redirection
6. Create simple scripts
7. Run scripts
8. Use of #! directive
9. Create and use shell variables
10. Use of the . construct
11. Use of quotes
12. Use of regular expressions
13. Use of positional parameters
14. Examine the exit status of commands
15. File manipulation
16. Use of the if statement
17. Loops using Flow control
18. Reading data from standard input. Use of <<
19. Perform arithmetic calculations within a script
20. Examine the use of inbuilt functions
21. Parameter substitution
22. Look at Unix tools
23. Create command line scripts and menu driven interactive scripts.
24. Develop concise, robust and maintainable scripts.
25. Handle signals received by a script