Mastering the Command Line: A Beginner's Guide to Bash for Students

AWS · February 17, 2023

Welcome to Bash for Beginners https://aka.ms/bashforbeginners

What is Bash?

Bash is a command-line shell that is widely used in many operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows (with the Windows Subsystem for Linux). Bash is considered a universal language when it comes to cloud computing and programming.

About the course

https://aka.ms/bashforbeginners

Many languages support Bash commands to pass data and information and when it comes to the Cloud, all platforms support using it to interact with your environment. Even though we won't cover everything there is to know about this language in the course, we want to make sure we give you the foundation on scripting in Bash.

Students and command line skills

Learning command line skills such bash can be beneficial for students in several ways:

Improve technical skills: Students who learn bash gain valuable technical skills in operating systems and command-line interfaces, which can be useful in fields such as computer science, data science, and cybersecurity.
Automate tasks: Bash scripting can be used to automate repetitive tasks, which can save time and reduce errors. Students can use this skill to streamline their workflow, manage large datasets, or run simulations.
Enhance problem-solving abilities: Bash requires students to think logically and systematically, which can improve their problem-solving abilities. By breaking down problems into smaller steps and executing them in a structured manner, students can develop a systematic approach to problem-solving.
Facilitate collaboration: Bash is a widely used tool in the technology industry, particularly in software development. By learning bash, students can collaborate more effectively with developers and system administrators and be better prepared for roles in technology-focused organizations.
Foster a growth mindset: Learning a new skill like bash requires perseverance and patience. By working through challenges and making progress, students can develop a growth mindset that can be applied to other areas of their lives.

Overall, learning bash can equip students with technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a growth mindset that can help them succeed in a variety of fields and with Microsoft Learn we provide a number of hands-on labs and exercises Get started with the Linux command line and the Shell - Training via Microsoft Learn.

Why use/try bash

Here are some reasons why learning bash can be beneficial:

Automation: With bash, you can write scripts to automate repetitive tasks and streamline your workflow. This can save you time and reduce errors.
System Administration: As a powerful tool, bash is often used in system administration tasks, such as managing users, configuring networks, and monitoring system resources.
Compatibility: Bash is installed by default on most Unix-like systems, which means you can use the same scripts across different platforms.
Accessibility: With a basic understanding of bash, you can access and manage your computer through the command line, which can be helpful in situations where a graphical interface is not available.
Collaboration: Many software development projects rely on bash scripts for building and testing their software, so learning bash can help you contribute to open-source projects and collaborate with others.

Conclusion

Overall, learning bash can help you become more proficient in system administration, programming, and automation, making you a more effective and efficient use scripts and command line interactions.

At the end of the course, you'll be able to create your own scripts and automate tasks with the help of Bash.

Additional Resources

Student Hub Overview - Microsoft Learn Student Hub

Microsoft Azure for Student $100 of Cloud Credit for Student

Control Azure services with the CLI - Training

Get started with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). - Training