The Bash Shell

Linux Fundamentals

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Welcome to the Bash Shell.

 What you will learn
At the core of the lesson
You will learn how to:
• Describe features of the Bash shell
• Explain how to display shell variables
• Explain how environment variables are used
• Describe the value of the alias command

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You will learn how to:

• Describe features of the Bash shell

• Explain how to display shell variables
• Explain how environment variables are used
• Describe the value of the alias command
The Bourne Again Shell: Bash shell

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This section defines a Linux shell and introduces the Bash shell.
 The Linux shell
What is a shell?
• A shell accepts and interprets commands.
• A shell is an environment in which
commands, programs, and shell scripts
are run.
• There are many types of Linux shells
available. Bash is one of them, and this
section discusses it further.

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What is a shell?

The primary purpose of a shell is to allow the user to interact with the computer
operating system. It has two different functions. One is a program and the other is a
command interpreter. As a program shell, it provides the interface for utilities and
programs. As a command interpreter, a shell accepts and interprets the commands
you enter into the command line interface (CLI) or terminal.
 The Bourne Again Shell: Bash
What is the Bourne Again Shell (Bash)?
• Bash is the default shell in Linux.
• It offers an efficient environment for
interacting with the operating system and
scripting.

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What is Bash?

Bash is a programming language for running commands. Bash is the default shell in
Linux operating systems. It is widely used, so some familiarity with Bash is expected
in many systems or development roles.
Shell variables

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This section explains what Bash shell variables are, how to name them, what the
rules are for writing them, and how to assign a value to them.
 Shell variables

]$ name=value

In a shell, a variable is used to store values. A variable value can be a string, a number, or special characters; by default, variables
are strings.

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In a shell, a variable is used to store values. Variables can be a name, a number, or

special characters; by default, variables are strings. Variables are character strings to
which you can assign a value; a value can be assigned as a number, text, file name,
device, or other data type. Variables are a symbolic label for a portion of memory
used to assign values and read and manipulate contents.

Scripts or other commands can call shell variables. The values that these shell
variables represent are then substituted into the script or command.

The next slide provides a few shell syntax rules for creating variables; you will look at
these rules.
 Syntax rules: Variable syntax structure

]$ restart_student=

By convention and as a good practice, the name of a variable that a user has created is in lowercase. Environment (system)
variable names are capitalized. Also, there is no space before or after the equal sign.

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There are rules for defining or creating variables in the shell.

When defining a variable, the variable name must be prefixed with the dollar ($)
symbol.

The variable must contain no spaces or special characters within the variable name. A
variable name can contain only letters (a to z or A to Z), numbers (0 to 9), or the
underscore character ( _), and they are usually capitalized (e.g. VARIABLE).
 Syntax rules: Naming variables

Good variable names Bad variable names

]$ restart_student= ]$ student=

]$ restart_us_cohort_1= ]$ us_cohort=

]$ restart_spring_student ]$ spring!=

Variable names are crucial; they assist in making sense of what Unhelpful, confusing, or vague variable names can contribute to
the variable is used for and the readability of the variable. the disconnect between a variable and its value.

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Naming variables in Bash can be difficult, but if you name variables properly, it is
useful. Good variable names are crucial; they assist in making sense of what the
variable is used for and the readability of the variable. It is good practice to be
consistent in your naming pattern. Unhelpful, confusing, or vague variable names can
contribute to the disconnect between a variable and its value.

The variable names on this slide are examples of a few good and a few bad variable
names.
 Assigning a value to a variable

]$ name=value

Variables are assigned by using the = operator. The value of the variable is located to the right of the = operator.

]$ restart_student=Li Juan

Variables can be a name, a number, or special characters; by default, all variables are treated as strings, even if a variable is
assigned to a number. There is no space between the variable name and the value.

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A value can be assigned as a number, text, file name, device, or other data type.

Again, as discussed earlier, a variable is used to store values. Variables can be a name,
a number, or special characters; by default, all variables are treated as strings, even if
a variable is assigned to a number. Variables are assigned by using the = operator.
There is no space between the variable name and the value.
Displaying shell variables

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In this section, you learn how to display variables using the echo command.
 Displaying shell variables

Display Bash variables by using the echo command:

]$ echo $VARIABLE_NAME
or

]$ echo $(VARIABLE_NAME)

You can also use the echo command to view the output from environment variables.

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To display the value of a variable, use the echo $VARIABLE_NAME. Also use the echo
command to view the output from environment variables or system-wide variables.
Environment variables

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In this section, you review environment variables.

 Environment variables

]$ KEY=VALUE
In a shell, environment variables are the same as shell variables. Structurally, these variables are no different from each other.
Both use the key-value pair, and they are separated by the equal (=) sign.

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Environment variables are structurally the same as shell variables; they are no
different from each other. Both use the key-value pair, and they are separated by the
equal (=) sign.

Environment variables are system wide, and all child processes and shells inherit
them. With environment variables, you can pass information about the current
operating environment to a program running. Finally, applications and daemons
reference environment variables as needed.
 Common environment variables
Use the echo command to view environment variables.

]$ echo $VARIABLE_NAME

Environment Variables Description

Defines the user's home

$HOME
directory
Indicates the location of the
$PATH
commands

$SHELL Defines the login shell type

Contains the user's system

$USER
name

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The table on this slide displays a list of a few common environment variables you may
encounter when using Linux.
 Common environment variables: $HOME
The echo command is used to view environment variables.

]$ echo $HOME
/home/username

In Bash, the output for the $HOME environment variable will Environment Variables Description
display the user's home directory because it is set as an
environment variable when you log in. Defines the user's home
$HOME
directory
Indicates the location of the
$PATH
commands

$SHELL Defines the login shell type

Contains the user's system

$USER
name

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In Bash, for example, the output for the $HOME environment variable will display the
user's home directory.
 Common environment variables: $PATH
The echo command is used to view environment variables.

]$ echo $PATH
/usr/local/sbin:/bin/bin…. : /root/bin

$PATH is an environment variable that specifies a set of Environment Variables Description

directories where executable programs are located.
Defines the user's home
$HOME
directory
Indicates the location of the
$PATH
commands

$SHELL Defines the login shell type

Contains the user's system

$USER
name

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$PATH is an environment variable that specifies a set of directories where executable

programs are located. In general, each running process or user session has its own
PATH setting.
 Instructor demonstration Displaying environment variables
You can use the echo command to display environment variables.

Directions
1. Open the Bash shell in a Linux environment.
2. At the command prompt, enter the echo command and an
environment variable from the following list:
– echo $HOME
– echo $SHELL
– echo $USER
– echo $PATH

Explain your findings from each environment variable to the students.

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For this demonstration:

1. Open the Bash shell in a Linux environment.

2. At the command prompt, enter the echo command and an environment variable
from the following list:
• echo $HOME
• echo $SHELL
• echo $USER
• echo $PATH

Explain your findings from each environment variable.

Understanding the Bash environment and env command

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This section discusses the Bash environment and the env command.
 The env command
The env command is used to view environment variables.

]$ env [OPTIONS]

Output from the env

If you run the env command without any options, it will display Description
Command
the variables in your current environment. With options, you can
use this command to view, set, or remove environment Specifies the virtual terminal
XDG_VTNR
variables. number

XDG_SESSONS_ID Specifies the session ID

Specifies the name of the

HOSTNAME
computer

SHELL Specifies the shell path

TERM Defines terminal handling

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The env command is a shell command for Linux. You use this command to print a list
of environment variables or run another utility in an altered environment.
 The initialization process for Bash environment files

User logs in

Default system shell starts

/etc/profile file is run

User provides a login shell

/home/user/.bashrc file is run

User starts another interactive shell

/home/user/.bashrc file is run

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During the initialization process of Bash environment files, two different initialization
shell files are invoked.

The /etc/profile file contains system-wide environment configurations and startup

scripts for login setup. The command line prompt is set within this file. All
configurations that you want to apply to all system users’ environments should be
added to this file.

When you log in, Bash reads the /etc/profile instructions. The /etc/profile file usually
sets the shell variables PATH, USER, HOSTNAME, etc.

The /etc/bashrc file contains system-wide functions and aliases, including other
configurations that apply to all system users.
 Instructor demonstration Displaying the Bash environment files
You will view the files that are used to set a user's configuration
during system startup.

Directions
Steps to view the .bashrc
1. Open the Bash shell in a Linux environment.
2. At the command prompt, enter the ls -a command to view hidden
files.
3. Enter the cat .bashrc command to display the content of the file.

Steps to view the /etc/profile

1. At the command prompt, enter cd /etc/profile
2. Enter ls to see the profile file.
3. Enter the cat .profile command to view the content of the file.

Explain the content of the Bash environment files to the students.

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For this demonstration:

Steps to view the .bashrc

1. Open the Bash shell in a Linux environment.
2. At the command prompt, enter the ls -a command to view hidden files.
3. Enter the cat .bashrc command to display the content of the file.

Steps to view the /etc/profile

1. At the command prompt, enter cd /etc/profile
2. Enter ls to see the profile file.
3. Enter the cat .profile command to view the content of the file.
The alias command

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This section describes the value of the alias command.

 Aliases
By using aliases, you can define new commands by substituting a long command with a short one.

]$ alias alias_name=‘command’

How it works: Enter the command alias, desired alias, and then the command to run. Ensure the value of the command in
single quotation marks.

Example: ll is often aliased to ls -l

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By using aliases, you can define new commands by substituting a long command with
a short one. Aliases can be set temporarily in the current shell, but it is more
common to set them in the user's .bashrc file so that they are permanent. In the
example, ll is often substituted or aliased to ls –l.

Extra: In many distributions, you can create an alias of destructive commands—such

as rm, cp, and mv—with the -i interactive option.
 The unalias command
The unalias command removes the configured alias if it is not configured in the .bashrc file.

]$ unalias [alias_name]

Example: Now if you run the command, you will find that
the command is no longer valid.

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The unalias command removes the configured alias if it is not configured in the
.bashrc file.

In the example, the unalias command is used to remove the new alias that was
created earlier.
 Add an alias to the .bashrc file
Aliases can be added to the .bashrc file.

]$ nano ~/.bashrc

How it works: Use vim or nano to edit the file. Add your aliases.

# Aliases

# User defined aliases

# alias [name[=value]…]

alias ll=‘ls –la’

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The .bashrc file is stored in the home directory of each user. As mentioned earlier,
the .bashrc file is used to store configurations specific to the user. When creating an
alias, remember that after you create it, the alias is applied to the .bashrc file.
 Checkpoint questions

What commands do you think you will create aliases for in Bash?

What does the env command display?

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1. Some commands used for aliases (other than the commands that were listed
previously) include those that return the following:
• The name of the user who is running the application
• A user’s preferences when they play a game (for example, sound and music
levels)
• A value that is commonly used when running calculations (pi, the fixed cost
of product)

2. The env command displays the environment variable. You use this command to
display your current environment.
 Key takeaways • Variables are ways of storing values and reusing the
value in commands scripts.

• Some variables are built in to Linux and commonly

used, such as the $PATH and $HOME environment
variables.

• Aliases are single commands that can represent other,

much longer commands.

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Key takeaways include the following:

• Variables are ways of storing values and reusing the value in commands scripts.
• Some variables are built in to Linux and commonly used, such as the $PATH and
$HOME environment variables.
• Aliases are single commands that can represent other, much longer commands.
Thank you

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