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July 2004
Book Review: Linux Shell Scripting with Bash
Reviewed by Ed Schaefer
Linux Shell Scripting with Bash
A comprehensive guide and reference for Linux users and administrators
by Ken O. Burtch
SAMS Publishing, 2004
ISBN: 0672326426
412 pages
Like your first love, you never forget the book that taught you shell programming. Ken Burtch with his Linux Shell Scripting with Bash wants to be the first to teach you structured Bash shell programming. Based on the sub-title, A comprehensive guide and reference for Linux users and administrators, I think he also wants you to "refer" back often.
The publisher's Web site contains a book description and a complete table of contents. The site does not, however, provide source code.
What About Bash Scripting?
This book doesn't require much experience to get started; the reader must only be able to log into a Linux account and know how to edit a file. Burtch takes us from the simple to the sublime. His Bash scripting dissertation starts with files, file systems, directories, etc. in Chapter 1 and ends with local variables and shell functions in Chapter 14. The author's explanations are cognizant and extensive. He doesn't cover script basics until Chapter 4, and the while, if, and case statements aren't introduced until Chapter 7.
At the end of each chapter, the author includes a reference section summarizing the commands presented in that particular chapter.
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