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Introduction to Shell

4.5+
34 reviews
Beginner

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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4 Hours55 Exercises109,445 Learners

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Course Description

The Unix command line has survived and 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 that may be halfway around the world. This course will introduce its key elements and show you how to use them efficiently.
  1. 1

    Manipulating files and directories

    Free

    This chapter is 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.

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    How does the shell compare to a desktop interface?
    50 xp
    Where am I?
    50 xp
    How can I identify files and directories?
    50 xp
    How else can I identify files and directories?
    100 xp
    How can I move to another directory?
    100 xp
    How can I move up a directory?
    50 xp
    How can I copy files?
    100 xp
    How can I move a file?
    100 xp
    How can I rename files?
    100 xp
    How can I delete files?
    100 xp
    How can I create and delete directories?
    100 xp
    Wrapping up
    100 xp
  2. 5

    Creating new tools

    History lets you repeat things with just a few keystrokes, and pipes let you combine existing commands to create new ones. In this chapter, you will see how to go one step further and create new commands of your own.

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In the following tracks

Python ProgrammerR Programmer

Collaborators

Filip Schouwenaars
DataCamp Content Creator

Course Instructor

DataCamp offers interactive R, Python, Spreadsheets, SQL and shell courses. All on topics in data science, statistics, and machine learning. Learn from a team of expert teachers in the comfort of your browser with video lessons and fun coding challenges and projects.
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Don’t just take our word for it

*4.5
from 34 reviews
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  • Aliou D.
    25 days

    Very clear course. I recommend

  • Duncan H.
    about 1 month

    Told me all I needed to get started.

  • Denis Z.
    about 1 month

    Great text course, I would appreciate more advanced topics

  • Gadam M.
    3 months

    awesome, and simple explanation

  • Mark B.
    3 months

    Lived this course. I prefer to work on my own with no video instruction, so it was perfect for me.

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"Very clear course. I recommend"

Aliou D.

"Told me all I needed to get started."

Duncan H.

"Great text course, I would appreciate more advanced topics"

Denis Z.

FAQs

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