Why Bash scripting automates Linux tasks - Test Your Understanding

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to print the current directory path.

Bash Scripting

echo [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Acd

Bls

Cpwd

Dmkdir

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 'ls' which lists files instead of showing the path.

Using 'cd' which changes directory but does not print it.

The pwd command prints the current directory path in Bash.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to create a new directory named 'backup'.

Bash Scripting

[1] backup

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Amkdir

Bcp

Ctouch

Drm

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 'rm' which deletes files or directories.

Using 'touch' which creates empty files.

The mkdir command creates a new directory in Bash.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the script to list all files including hidden ones.

Bash Scripting

ls [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A-l

B-a

C-r

D-h

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using '-l' which shows detailed info but not hidden files.

Using '-r' which reverses order but does not show hidden files.

The -a option with ls shows all files, including hidden ones starting with a dot.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a loop that prints numbers 1 to 5.

Bash Scripting

for i in [1]; do
  echo $[2]
done

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A1 2 3 4 5

Bi

D1..5

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using '1..5' which is not a valid list in Bash for loop.

Printing the wrong variable name.

The loop iterates over the list '1 2 3 4 5' and prints each number stored in variable i.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a script that checks if a file exists and prints a message.

Bash Scripting

if [[ -[1] [2] ]]; then
  echo "File [3] exist."
else
  echo "File does not exist."
fi

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Ae

Bmyfile.txt

Cdoes

Df

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using '-f' which checks if it is a regular file but '-e' is more general.

Forgetting to put the filename in the test.

Using wrong words in the echo message.

The -e option checks if the file exists. The filename is 'myfile.txt'. The message uses 'does' to say the file exists.

Practice

1. Why do people use Bash scripting to automate Linux tasks?

easy

A. To make the computer run slower

B. To save time and reduce mistakes by repeating commands automatically

C. To avoid using the terminal completely

D. To create graphical user interfaces easily

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of automation

   Automation helps by running tasks repeatedly without manual input, saving time and avoiding errors.

2. Step 2: Relate Bash scripting to automation

   Bash scripts contain commands that run in order, automating tasks on Linux systems.

3. Final Answer:

   To save time and reduce mistakes by repeating commands automatically -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Automation = save time and reduce errors [OK]

Hint: Automation means repeating tasks to save time [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Bash slows down the computer
• Believing Bash replaces the terminal
• Confusing Bash scripting with GUI design

2. Which line correctly starts a Bash script to tell the system to use Bash?

easy

A. #!/bin/bash

B. #!/bin/sh

C. #!/usr/bin/python

D. #!/bin/csh

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct shebang for Bash

   The shebang line #!/bin/bash tells the system to run the script with Bash shell.

2. Step 2: Compare other options

   #!/bin/sh is for sh shell, #!/usr/bin/python is for Python, and #!/bin/csh is for C shell, not Bash.

3. Final Answer:

   #!/bin/bash -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Shebang for Bash = #!/bin/bash [OK]

Hint: Bash scripts start with #!/bin/bash [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using #!/bin/sh which may not be Bash
• Confusing Python or C shell shebangs
• Omitting the shebang line

3. What will be the output of this Bash script?

#!/bin/bash
for i in 1 2 3; do
  echo "Task $i done"
done

medium

A. Task 1 done
Task 2 done
Task 3 done

B. Error: syntax error

C. Task 1 done Task 2 done
Task 3 done

D. Task 1 done Task 2 done Task 3 done

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the for loop in Bash

   The loop runs three times with i=1, then 2, then 3.

2. Step 2: Check the echo command output

   Each echo prints "Task $i done" followed by a newline, so output lines appear separately.

3. Final Answer:

   Task 1 done Task 2 done Task 3 done -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Loop prints each task on new line [OK]

Hint: echo adds a new line after each output [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking echo outputs on same line
• Confusing spaces with newlines
• Expecting syntax errors in correct loops

4. Find the error in this Bash script that should print numbers 1 to 3:

#!/bin/bash
for i in {1..3}
do
  echo "Number: $i"
fi

medium

A. Incorrect shebang line

B. Wrong variable name used

C. Echo command syntax error

D. Missing 'done' to close the for loop

Solution

1. Step 1: Check loop syntax

   The for loop must end with done, but script ends with fi which is for if statements.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct closing keyword

   Replace fi with done to properly close the loop.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing 'done' to close the for loop -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Loops end with done, not fi [OK]

Hint: For loops end with done, not fi [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using fi instead of done to close loops
• Confusing if and for syntax
• Ignoring missing loop closure errors

5. You want to automate cleaning temporary files every day using a Bash script. Which approach best uses Bash scripting to automate this task?

hard

A. Manually run rm commands daily in the terminal

B. Use a graphical file manager to delete files once a week

C. Write a Bash script that deletes temp files and schedule it with cron

D. Write a Python program to delete files but run it manually

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify automation with Bash scripting

   Writing a Bash script to delete temp files automates the task by running commands automatically.

2. Step 2: Use cron to schedule the script

   Cron is a Linux tool to run scripts at set times, enabling daily automatic cleanup without manual work.

3. Final Answer:

   Write a Bash script that deletes temp files and schedule it with cron -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Bash script + cron = automated daily task [OK]

Hint: Combine Bash script with cron for automatic scheduling [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Running commands manually defeats automation
• Using GUI tools is not scripting
• Writing scripts but not scheduling them