Sign-In
Cart
Bash 5.3 Programming in 14 Days: Master Defensive Shell Scripting for Sysadmin Automation through Daily Drills
Paperback
Series: Learn Programming in 14 Days
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Aug 19 2026
Pages: 362
Weight: 1.38
Height: 0.75 Width: 7.00 Depth: 10.00
Language: English
Fourteen days of drills that turn shell scripting into something you can trust on a machine you cannot watch.
This is a book of problems. Every rule is stated in as few words as it can be, shown working in a short script with its real captured output, and then handed back as drills. Nothing is asserted that is not also demonstrated: every listing in the book was run under GNU Bash 5.3.15 on Linux, and every printed result was captured from that run.
The programming problems build one real tool across the fourteen days. It is called sentry, a host audit command. It begins on Day 1 as a script that refuses to run half-broken and gains, day by day, arguments that survive a space, settings with defaults, named checks chosen by option, tallies in arrays, log reading that loses no character, file discovery that survives every legal filename, a formatted report, checks that run in parallel behind a lock, and finally a dry run, a self-test, a log and an installable command.
The shell is not a passenger here. Quoting decides whether a filename with a space is one argument or two. Strict mode decides whether a failed command stops the script or is ignored. A subshell decides whether a counter survives the loop that filled it. Every one of those decisions is shown as a measurement rather than an opinion, and the book prints both outcomes.
The two weeks run in two movements. Days 1 to 7 cover the language: the execution model and strict mode, quoting and expansions, parameter expansion, tests and control flow, arrays, functions and scope, and reading input safely. Days 8 to 14 cover the machine: processes, pipelines and exit status, globs and awkward filenames, traps and cleanup, text processing inside the shell, concurrency and locking, the failure modes a defensive script must survive, and packaging a script an operator can run at three in the morning.
Every chapter has the same shape. Numbered sections state the rules. Twenty worked examples show each rule running, each with a complete script, its real output, a figure and a short explanation. Then a fixed ladder of five problem sets: review questions, worked problems with full solutions, worked programming problems, and unassisted practice problems in both written and programming form. The review answers are at the end of the chapter; the practice problems have no answers anywhere, by design.
Your 14-day path
Week 1 - the language
- Day 1 - The Shell, the Script and Strict Mode
- Day 2 - Words, Quoting and the Order of Expansions
- Day 3 - Parameters and Parameter Expansion
- Day 4 - Tests, Conditions and Control Flow
- Day 5 - Arrays and Associative Arrays
- Day 6 - Functions, Scope and Return Values
- Day 7 - Reading Input with read, IFS and File Descriptors
Week 2 - the machine
- Day 8 - Processes, Pipelines and Exit Status
- Day 9 - Files, Globs and Awkward Names
- Day 10 - Traps, Signals and Cleanup
- Day 11 - Text Processing inside the Shell
- Day 12 - Concurrency, Jobs, wait and Locks
- Day 13 - The Failure Modes of a Shell Script
- Day 14 - Packaging a Script for Operations
Who it's for
System administrators who write the scripts a fleet depends on. Site reliability engineers who inherit them. Developers who maintain the shell that holds a deployment together. Readers preparing for a technical interview. Use of a command line is assumed. No prior scripting is assumed, and no other programming language.
280 worked examples. 462 figures. 910 problems. 358 pages. Written to GNU Bash 5.3.
Fourteen days. Work them in order, and do the problems.
Also from
Saqib, Mohammad
Building AI Agents in 21 Days: A Hands-On Course in Agentic Systems with Python and LLMs
Saqib, Mohammad
Paperback
C23 Programming in 14 Days: Master Modern C and Systems Programming Through Daily Drills
Saqib, Mohammad
Paperback
Fortran 2023 Programming in 14 Days: Master High-Performance Scientific Computing Through Daily Drills
Saqib, Mohammad
Paperback
Also in
Operating Systems
I Have an App Idea: The Essential Guide to Building an App Without Tech Skills
Spann, Amanda
Paperback
RHCSA Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10: Training and Exam Preparation Guide (EX200), Fourth Edition
Ghori, Asghar
Paperback
Microsoft Windows 11 - Tips & Tricks: Quickstudy Laminated Computer Reference Guide
Gatto, Katie
Other
The Practice of System and Network Administration: Devops and Other Best Practices for Enterprise It, Volume 1
Hogan, Christina
Chalup, Strata
Limoncelli, Thomas
Paperback
Laptops for Seniors in Easy Steps, 9th Edition: Covers All Laptops with the Windows 11 2024 Update
Vandome, Nick
Paperback
Linux Basics for Hackers, 2nd Edition: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali
Occupytheweb
Paperback
Microsoft Copilot Studio Step by Step: Customizing Copilot and Creating Agents
Crosbie, Lisa
Paperback
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G User Guide: A Comprehensive, Step-by-Step Manual with Practical Tips for Beginners and Seniors
Gavriel, John
Paperback
RHCSA Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9: Training and Exam Preparation Guide (EX200), Third Edition
Ghori, Asghar
Paperback
The Wireless Cookbook: Build Real Projects and Master Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Lora
Zimmerman, Bill
Paperback
Comptia A+ Certification All-In-One Exam Guide, Eleventh Edition (Exams 220-1101 & 220-1102)
Everett, Travis A.
Hutz, Andrew
Hardcover
Exploring Windows 11 - 2025 Edition: The Illustrated, Practical Guide to Using Microsoft Windows
Wilson, Kevin
Paperback
The Cathedral & the Bazaar: Musings on Linux and Open Source by an Accidental Revolutionary
Raymond, Eric S.
Paperback
Windows 11 Manual For Seniors: A Beginners Guide to Navigate Your Computer with Step-by-Step Instructions
Wells, Larry
Paperback
The Linux Programming Interface: A Linux and Unix System Programming Handbook
Kerrisk, Michael
Hardcover
Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption: A Practical Guide for Business Leaders and Consultants
Smith, Mark
Smith, Megan
Paperback
What On Earth is a Mainframe?: An Introduction to IBM Z Mainframes and z/OS Operating System for Total Beginners
Stephens, David
Paperback
Linux Mint Cinnamon Edition: A Complete Guide for Beginners and Advanced Users
Rodgers, David A., Jr.
Paperback
Android Studio Panda Essentials - Java Edition: Developing Android Apps Using Android Studio Panda and Java
Smyth, Neil
Paperback
Mac for Seniors - Sonoma Edition: The illustrated, Step-by-step guide on how to use MacOS (Large Print Edition)
Wilson, Kevin
Paperback
Mastering Linux Security and Hardening - Third Edition: A practical guide to protecting your Linux system from cyber attacks
Tevault, Donald a.
Paperback
Master Zorin OS 18: A Complete Hands-On Guide to Linux Mastery with Zorin OS 18
Mykel, Ross
Paperback
The Accidental Administrator: Cisco Router Step-by-Step Configuration Guide
Crawley, Don R.
Paperback
Windows Internals: System Architecture, Processes, Threads, Memory Management, and More, Part 1
Russinovich, Mark
Solomon, David
Yosifovich, Pavel
Paperback
Windows 11 Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts in Easy Steps: 1000+ Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts
Vandome, Nick
Paperback
MacBook Neo User Guide: Seniors and Beginners Easy to follow Manual With ILLUSTRATIONS to Master Their Device Quickly [Tips and Trips included]
Klaywood Philip, Sans
Paperback
Comptia A+ Complete Study Guide: Core 1 Exam 220-1101 and Core 2 Exam 220-1102
Docter, Quentin
Buhagiar, Jon
Paperback
How to Build Android Applications with Kotlin - Third Edition: A hands-on guide to developing, testing, and publishing production-grade Android 16 app
Forrester, Alex
Boudjnah, Eran
Dumbravan, Alexandru
Paperback
Effective Shell: A Practical User's Guide to Working Smarter on the Command Line
Kerr, Dave
Paperback
Linux: A Complete Guide to Learn Linux Commands, Linux Operating System and Shell Scripting Step-by-Step
Ayden, Nicholas
Paperback
Linux Kernel Programming - Second Edition: A comprehensive and practical guide to kernel internals, writing modules, and kernel synchronization
Billimoria, Kaiwan N.
Paperback
A Handbook for Mainframe z/OS Enterprise Architects - Architecture and Design of Large-Scale Environments
Sahoo, Natabar
Paperback
Chatgpt: A Guide to Making Money With Chatgpt (Creative Ways for Teens and Young Adults to Make Money With Chatgpt)
Trotter, Thomas
Paperback
Don't Be Afraid of the Mainframe: The Missing Introduction for IT Leaders and Professionals
de Greef, Niek
Paperback
Android Phone User Guide for Seniors: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Calling, Texting, Photos, Apps & Online Safety
Foster, Henry L.
Paperback
Developing Inclusive Mobile Apps: Building Accessible Apps for IOS and Android
Whitaker, Rob
Paperback
Learn FileMaker Pro 2024: The Comprehensive Guide to Building Custom Databases
Munro, Mark Conway
Paperback
Powershell Cookbook: Your Complete Guide to Scripting the Ubiquitous Object-Based Shell
Holmes, Lee
Paperback
Linux: The ultimate guide to Linux for beginners, Linux hacking, Linux command line, Linux operating system, and more!
Newport, Craig
Paperback
Mastering Windows Server 2022 - Fourth Edition: Comprehensive administration of your Windows Server environment
Krause, Jordan
Paperback
Learning the VI and VIM Editors: Power and Agility Beyond Just Text Editing
Hannah, Elbert
Robbins, Arnold
Paperback
Practical Linux System Administration: A Guide to Installation, Configuration, and Management
Hess, Kenneth
Paperback
Red Hat Certified Engineer (Rhce) Ansible Automation Study Guide: In-Depth Guidance and Practice
Bueno, Alex Soto
Block, Andrew
Paperback
Mastering Linux Security and Hardening - Third Edition: A practical guide to protecting your Linux system from cyber attacks
Tevault, Donald a.
Hardcover
Grep Pocket Reference: A Quick Pocket Reference for a Utility Every UNIX User Needs
Bambenek, John
Klus, Agnieszka
Paperback
Embedded Systems Architecture - Second Edition: Design and write software for embedded devices to build safe and connected systems
Lacamera, Daniele
Paperback
iPad for Seniors - iPadOS 16 Edition: The illustrated, Step-by-step guide on how to use iPad (Large Print Edition)
Wilson, Kevin
Paperback
Debian 13.3 "Trixie" Desktop Handbook: A Practical Guide to Installing, Securing, and Mastering the Debian Linux Desktop - From Install to Advanced Ad
Rodgers, David A., Jr.
Paperback
Understanding the Linux Kernel: From I/O Ports to Process Management
Bovet, Daniel P.
Cesati, Marco
Paperback
iPhone for Seniors - iOS 15 Edition: The illustrated, Step-by-step guide on how to use iPhone (Large Print Edition)
Wilson, Kevin
Paperback
Arduino Software Internals: A Complete Guide to How Your Arduino Language and Hardware Work Together
Dunbar, Norman
Paperback
Canva User Guide For Beginners: Design Stunning Graphics for Social Media, Business, and More
Caden, Clara
Paperback
Head First Android Development: A Learner's Guide to Building Android Apps with Kotlin
Griffiths, David
Griffiths, Dawn
Paperback
Comando de Linux: Una guía completa para principiantes para aprender los reinos del comando Linux desde A-Z
Vance, William
Paperback
Hotwire Native for Rails Developers: Build Native Mobile Apps Using Your Server
Masilotti, Joe
Paperback