================================================================================
WORK WITH ME WEDNESDAY - SCRIPTING INTRO
================================================================================
CLASS INFO:
-----------
Topic: [SCRIPTING TOPIC - e.g., "Bash Scripting Fundamentals"]
Date: [YYYY-MM-DD]
Duration: [60 minutes]
Level: [Intermediate]
Instructor: [NAME]
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
--------------------
By the end of this session, students will be able to:
• [Objective 1 - e.g., Write basic bash scripts]
• [Objective 2 - e.g., Use variables and conditionals]
• [Objective 3 - e.g., Create loops for automation]
• [Objective 4 - e.g., Make scripts executable]
PREREQUISITES:
--------------
• Comfortable with terminal navigation
• Basic understanding of file operations
• Text editor installed (nano, vim, or VS Code)
SETUP (5 MIN):
--------------
1. Create workspace:
cd ~/Desktop
mkdir scripting-practice
cd scripting-practice
2. Verify shell: echo $SHELL
3. Create first script file: touch hello.sh
HANDS-ON EXERCISES:
-------------------
Exercise 1: [TITLE - e.g., "Hello World Script"]
----------------------------------------------------
Script (hello.sh):
#!/bin/bash
# My first script
echo "Hello, World!"
echo "Today is $(date)"
Commands:
nano hello.sh # Edit script
chmod +x hello.sh # Make executable
./hello.sh # Run script
Expected output: Hello, World! and current date
Exercise 2: [TITLE - e.g., "Variables and Input"]
----------------------------------------------------
Script (greet.sh):
#!/bin/bash
echo "What's your name?"
read NAME
echo "Hello, $NAME!"
echo "Welcome to $0"
Commands:
chmod +x greet.sh
./greet.sh
Expected outcome: Interactive greeting with user input
Exercise 3: [TITLE - e.g., "Conditionals"]
----------------------------------------------------
Script (check_file.sh):
#!/bin/bash
FILE=$1
if [ -f "$FILE" ]; then
echo "$FILE exists"
wc -l "$FILE"
else
echo "$FILE not found"
fi
Commands:
chmod +x check_file.sh
./check_file.sh hello.sh
./check_file.sh missing.txt
Expected outcome: Different outputs based on file existence
Exercise 4: [TITLE - e.g., "Loops"]
----------------------------------------------------
Script (backup.sh):
#!/bin/bash
for file in *.sh; do
echo "Backing up $file"
cp "$file" "$file.backup"
done
echo "Backup complete!"
Commands:
chmod +x backup.sh
./backup.sh
ls *.backup
Expected outcome: Backup copies of all .sh files created
Exercise 5: [TITLE - e.g., "Functions"]
----------------------------------------------------
Script (utils.sh):
#!/bin/bash
create_folder() {
FOLDER=$1
mkdir -p "$FOLDER"
echo "Created $FOLDER"
}
create_folder "test1"
create_folder "test2"
create_folder "test3"
Commands:
chmod +x utils.sh
./utils.sh
ls -d test*
Expected outcome: Three test folders created
COMMON ERRORS & SOLUTIONS:
---------------------------
Error 1: "Permission denied"
Solution: Make script executable with chmod +x script.sh
Error 2: "command not found"
Solution: Run with ./script.sh (not just script.sh)
Error 3: "Syntax error near unexpected token"
Solution: Check spacing around [ ] in conditionals, missing fi/done
Error 4: Variables not expanding
Solution: Use double quotes "$VAR" not single quotes "$VAR"
PRACTICE CHALLENGES:
--------------------
1. [Challenge 1 - e.g., "Create script that organizes files by extension"]
2. [Challenge 2 - e.g., "Write script to check if website is online"]
3. [Challenge 3 - e.g., "Build automated backup script with timestamp"]
CHEAT SHEET:
------------
Script Structure:
#!/bin/bash # Shebang line
# Comment # Comments start with #
Variables:
VAR="value" # Assign (no spaces around =)
echo $VAR # Use variable
$1, $2 # Command line arguments
$0 # Script name
Conditionals:
if [ condition ]; then
# commands
elif [ condition ]; then
# commands
else
# commands
fi
Loops:
for item in list; do
# commands
done
while [ condition ]; do
# commands
done
File Tests:
[ -f file ] # File exists
[ -d dir ] # Directory exists
[ -z "$VAR" ] # Variable is empty
[ "$A" = "$B" ] # Strings equal
Functions:
function_name() {
# commands
return 0
}
Special Variables:
$? # Exit status of last command
$$ # Process ID
$# # Number of arguments
RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:
-----------------------
• Bash guide: https://mywiki.wooledge.org/BashGuide
• ShellCheck.net - script validation tool
• Advanced Bash: https://tldp.org/LDP/abs/html/
• Practice: Write automation scripts for daily tasks
• Next class: [TOPIC]
INSTRUCTOR NOTES:
-----------------
[Add specific notes, student questions, modifications made during class]
================================================================================