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Shell is a program that enables you to send commands to the computer and receive output. Learn how to combine existing programs, automate repetitive tasks, and run programs on clusters and clouds.
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Recommended for Shell beginners

Build your Shell skills with interactive courses curated by real-world experts

course

Introduction to Shell

BeginnerSkill Level
4 hours
1.8K
The Unix command line helps users combine existing programs in new ways, automate repetitive tasks, and run programs on clusters and clouds.

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course

Introduction to Shell

BeginnerSkill Level
4 hours
1.8K
The Unix command line helps users combine existing programs in new ways, automate repetitive tasks, and run programs on clusters and clouds.

course

Introduction to Bash Scripting

IntermediateSkill Level
4 hours
259
Bash scripting allows you to build analytics pipelines in the cloud and work with data stored across multiple files.

course

CI/CD for Machine Learning

AdvancedSkill Level
5 hours
186
Elevate your Machine Learning Development with CI/CD using GitHub Actions and Data Version Control

course

Data Processing in Shell

IntermediateSkill Level
4 hours
173
Learn powerful command-line skills to download, process, and transform data, including machine learning pipeline.

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Frequently asked questions

Which Shell course is the best for absolute beginners?

“Introduction to Shell” is the best course for beginners. 

The Unix command line has thrived for almost 50 years because it lets people do complex things with just a few keystrokes. 

Sometimes called "the universal glue of programming," it helps users combine existing programs in new ways, automate repetitive tasks, and run programs on clusters and clouds.

If you’re a new learner, this introductory course will cover its key elements and show you how to use them efficiently.

No experience required. With interactive exercises, learn key elements and explore how to use them efficiently.

What topics are covered in Shell courses?

Start with the basics. In Introduction to Shell, you’ll cover:

  • Manipulating files and directories
  • Manipulating data
  • Combining tools
  • Batch processing
  • Creating new tools

After you’ve completed the introductory course, move to Data Processing in Shell, including: 

  • Downloading data on the command line
  • Database operations on the command line
  • Data cleaning and munging on the command line
  • Data pipeline on the command line

Do I need any prior experience to take a Shell course?

Some programming experience will help you get started with Shell’s keywords. 

However, DataCamp courses are developed to be accessible to beginners, with step-by-step guidance that makes learning Shell simple.

Before diving in, you can learn more about Shell in our guide: What Is Shell?

Which Shell course is best for beginners?

With interactive exercises and no previous Shell experience required, Introduction to Shell is the best course to build your skills from scratch.

Starting with a brief introduction to the Unix shell, you’ll learn why it is still in use after almost 50 years, how it compares to the graphical tools you may be more familiar with, how to move around in the shell, and how to create, modify, and delete files and folders.

Once you have the foundations, you’ll move on to manipulating data, batch processing, and combining and creating new tools.

How can Shell courses help me in my career?

Shell is like a string that runs through every programming language, making complex commands boil down to concise and intuitive shorthands.

Rather than a career path, think of shell scripting as a useful tool in a data scientist’s arsenal. 

Data professionals of all kinds need to know multiple languages, and shell scripts help them use the languages more efficiently.

What is Shell?

A shell is a computer program called a command-line interpreter that lets Linux and Unix users control their operating systems with command-line interfaces. 

It allows users to communicate efficiently with operating systems.

Why should I learn shell?

Almost anyone who uses a computer benefits from shell, especially system administrators, DevOps, programmers, and data scientists. 

Shells automate tasks and applications, install packages, backup or restore data, and enhance programming. 

Also, shell is common on nearly every OS because they are efficient and easily updatable. It monitors your computer’s system and performs routine backups without you having to think about it. 

There’s no need to switch syntaxes because shell’s syntaxes and commands are identical to those entered in the command-line. In addition, it’s easy and quick to write shell scripts: they start quickly and they’re easy to debug.

What is shell syntax?

In natural language, syntax refers to how words and phrases are arranged. 

Shell syntax is very similar; it refers to the order of operations.

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