List of Top Shell Scripting Books
A shell script directs the operating system to perform a certain set of instructions. It handles and performs operations over file management, I/O management, and Device Management, to list a few. Shell scripts are typically interactive, reduce data duplication, and promote automated tasks.
Key features:
- Be aware of the practices that modern-day scripting comprises, which include but are not limited to knowing arithmetic expressions and invoking shells, coprocesses, conditional logic, and loops.
- Get to know the functions of the command structure of Bash, pattern matching, file matching, and aliases in these informative reads.
- Operate on awk and sed, practice through web and email scripts, apply bitcoin address retriever, and many more.
- The shell scripting techniques acquired through these books are relevant for data scientists and analysts to speed up and write secure shell scripts.
Best Books to Learn Shell Scripting Books
Whether you’re a Software Development professional, a Shell Scripting enthusiast, or a student, these ten books on Shell Scripting offer comprehensive insights into various aspects such as Shell Scripting in Action, Unix Shell Scripting, Wicked Cool Shell Scripts, Linux Command Line, Classic Shell Scripting, and more, providing a profound understanding of these subjects.
| # | Books | Author | Published | Rating |
| 1. | Mastering Unix Shell Scripting | Randal K. Michael | 2008 | Amazon: 4.4 Goodreads: 3.8 |
| 2. | Wicked Cool Shell Scripts, 2nd Edition | Dave Taylor, Brandon Perry | 2016 | Amazon:4.6 Goodreads: 3.6 |
| 3. | Linux Command Line and Shell Scripting Bible | Richard Blum, Christine Bresnahan | 2021 | Amazon: 4.6 Goodreads:4.1 |
| 4. | Classic Shell Scripting | Arnold Robbins, Nelson H.F. Beebe | 2005 | Amazon:4.6 Goodreads: 4.0 |
| 5. | Shell Scripting: How to Automate Command Line Tasks Using Bash Scripting and Shell Programming | Jason Cannon | 2015 | Amazon:4.6 Goodreads: 4.2 |
| 6. | Mastering Linux Shell Scripting, 2nd Edition | Mokhtar Ebrahim; Andrew Mallett | 2018 | Amazon: 4.3 Goodreads: 3.8 |
| 7. | Shell Scripting: Expert Recipes for Linux, Bash, and More | Steve Parker | 2011 | Amazon 4.7 Goodreads- 4.1 |
| 8. | Bash Quick Start Guide | Tom Ryder | 2018 | Amazon-4.8 Goodreads -3.8 |
| 9. | Bash Command Line and Shell Scripts Pocket Primer | Oswald Campesato | 2020 | Amazon 4.6 Goodreads- nil |
| 10. | Bash Pocket Reference | Arnold Robbins | 2016 | Amazon: 4.6 Goodreads: 4.2 |
Review the key points provided to gain insights into each Shell Scripting books, helping you determine which ones suit your needs.
Trend #1- Mastering Unix Shell Scripting
Author- Randal K. Michael
Book Review
This book’s specialty is getting beginners off the ground in shell scripting. This book stands out because of its step-by-step tutorial for combining things in different formats.
Key Takeaways from that book
- Learn scripting mentioned in Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, etc., file system monitoring, and monitoring system load.
- It includes command syntax for processing files line by line, practice automated event notifications, and indicating progress with a rotating line.
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Trend #2- Wicked Cool Shell Scripts, 2nd Edition
Author- Dave Taylor, Brandon Perry
Book Review
This book captures the essence of shell scripts in an effective way that leaves you with a plethora of thought-provoking ideas. A must-have scripting book that aims to take Linux users or programmers in general to the next level.
Key Takeaways from that book
- Take a deep dive into disk backup utility, ZIP code lookup tool, and Bitcoin address information retriever.
- Use Bitcoin address information retriever, perform cloud services, and rename and apply commands to files.
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Trend #3- Linux Command Line and Shell Scripting Bible
Author- Richard Blum, Christine Bresnahan
Book Review
An all-in-one book that covers the brief aspects of every essential facet required to upgrade yourself to Linux. Lift yourself from the ground for scripting using CLI, handling file systems and peripherals, and building fun shell scripts.
Key Takeaways from that book
- Familiarize yourself with Shell and its various script utilities and web and email scripts.
- Highlights the usage of sed, Linux distros, mounting drives, and awk in a clear methodology.
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Trend #4- Classic Shell Scripting
Author- Arnold Robbins, Nelson H.F. Beebe
Book Review
This book amalgamates accurate, well-formed content layouts and relevant practical examples to get you into the flow of writing effortless bash scripts. It is written in a tutorial format to get the reader to learn as they reiterate code from experience.
Key Takeaways from that book
- Optimize repetitive tasks with the help of UNIX fundamentals, file processing commands, and tips to escalate your learnings.
- Upskill in a precise methodology by knowing about text processing tools, pipelines, exit statuses, etc..
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Trend #5- Shell Scripting: How to Automate Command Line Tasks Using Bash Scripting and Shell Programming
Author- Jason Cannon
Book Review
Get to the bottom of Linux shell scripting with this amazing, well-structured, and to-the-point guide. It is ideal for anyone who is looking to tie up loose threads of script information into a solid knot.
Key Takeaways from that book
- Solve real-world complications with the use of step-by-step tracing guidelines that prove to be more beneficial in the long run.
- Accept input from users, make layouts from them, generate your shell script creation checklist, etc.
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Trend #6- Mastering Linux Shell Scripting, 2nd Edition
Author- Mokhtar Ebrahim;Andrew Mallett
Book Review
Try different scripting techniques and test your grasping power whilst following along. This book requires advanced scripting knowledge to integrate well with the course material.
Key Takeaways from that book
- Handle interactive scripts, type commands, and curate scripts to produce a new virtual host.
- Leverage AWK to search log files, combine scripts using functions, and reduce build time while achieving the same.
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Trend #7- Shell Scripting: Expert Recipes for Linux, Bash, and More
Author- Steve Parker
Book Review
A recommended tool if you are willing to put in the blood, sweat, and tears to become the next UNIX script master. Combined with the expert-level methodology and the preciseness with which each topic is handled, you’ll come out as a victorious script warrior.
Key Takeaways from that book
- Familiarize yourself with the history of UNIX, GNU, Linux, wildcard expansion, conditional execution, etc.
- Features file manipulation, tools for system administration, data storage and retrieval, and many more.
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Trend #8- Bash Quick Start Guide
Author- Tom Ryder
Book Review
This book is packed with spectacular notes on automated tasks for shell scripting with a bash that leaves no room for confusion. Learn bash script writing in this beginner-friendly book in no time.
Key Takeaways from that book
- Overview of bash command structure, exact fit of Bash shell in the system, and pattern matching with Bash.
- Covers topics like variables, patterns, loops, conditionals, and various aliases to hone your skills.
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Trend #9- Bash Command Line and Shell Scripts Pocket Primer
Author- Oswald Campesato
Book Review
This book presents a beehive filled with all things shell scripting and command line utilities that will leave you wanting more impeccable shell-based solutions. It involves the prominent features of pipelining, sed, awk commands, and many more.
Key Takeaways from that book
- This includes navigation around directories through Bash and basename and implementing commands like wc, cat, more, and head, etc.
- Pick up various directories, conditional logic, loops, and filter data with grep and practice until achieving excellence.
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Trend #10- Bash Pocket Reference
Author- Arnold Robbins
Book Review:
Have a fun-filled session of writing shell scripts that come along with this handy and approachable guide that every Bash Scripter has to have. Get up and running with writing arrays, quoting characters, and some cool tricks along the way.
Key Takeaways from that book
- Overview of the invoking of shell, arithmetic expressions, and programmable completion in an easy manner.
- Perform shell options, coprocesses, and restricted shells and summarize each topic to maximize efficiency.
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