Bash 101

Bash is the default shell on most Linux systems and has been the standard on macOS for years. It is the glue that holds together everything from automated deployment pipelines to simple daily scripts. Learning Bash means learning to automate the repetitive, chain tools together, and understand what is actually happening when you run a command.

What you will need: a terminal. On macOS and Linux, Bash (or a compatible shell) is already installed. On Windows, install WSL2 and use the Ubuntu terminal - everything in this series will work the same way.

What this series covers:

• Part 1 - The basics: what a shell is, your first script, variables, reading user input, arithmetic, and conditional logic
• Part 2 - Setup: configuring your shell environment, setting Bash as your default, understanding .bashrc vs .bash_profile, managing your $PATH, and writing aliases

What you will be able to do by the end:

Write shell scripts that automate real tasks - moving files, checking conditions, prompting for input, and making your terminal environment work the way you want it to. You will understand what a script is doing when you read it, and you will be comfortable writing your own from scratch.

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