Scripting Tutorial for Bash 4.0
The "Advanced Bash Scripting Guide" version 6 has been reworked to incorporate the new features of Bash 4.0.
The Advanced Bash Scripting Guide written by Mendel Cooper encompasses 361 code examples and would make a 960-page printed book. Cooper describes the guide not only as an "in-depth exploration of the art of shell scripting" but an introduction to general programming concepts such as recursion.
The new version 6.0.05 of the document demonstrates among other things the introduction of associative arrays that Bash 4.0 announced the end of February. As an example of their use Cooper provides a simple address database. He also goes into the expanded syntax for the case construct, enabling parallel processes through the coproc built-in, and use of the mapfile built-in to load an array with contents of a text file.
In an editorial comment at the end of the Bash version 4 chapter, Cooper nevertheless asks the question whether so many new features are really necessary: "Whatever happened to the lean and mean Bash we have come to know and love?" His suggestion for more "essential" features would include for-each loops and multi-dimensional arrays.
The document is included among the Linux Documentation Project Guides as text, HTML, PDF, PS and PDB. The author put it under Open Publication License with some additional conditions.
Issue 231/2020
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Thanks to Linux, Google and Valve are Bringing Steam to Chromebooks
In yet another win for desktop Linux, Google and Steam are about to up the Chromebook gaming field.
-
Kubuntu Focus Laptop Now Ready for Preorder
If you’ve ever wanted a KDE-specific, Linux-powered laptop, now’s your chance.
-
Dell Adds a Much-Requested Feature to the New XPS Developer Edition Laptop
Linux users are in for a treat when Dell releases the next iteration of the Ubuntu-powered XPS Developer Edition laptop.
-
Bonsai Promises to Make Syncing Gnome Devices Easier
Red Hat developer, Christian Hergert has been working on a GNOME desktop syncing project with lots of promise.
-
Elementary OS 5.1 Has Arrived
One of the most highly regarded Linux desktop distributions has released its next iteration.
-
Linux Mint 19.3 Will be Released by Christmas
The developers behind Linux Mint have announced 19.3 will be released by Christmas 2019.
-
Linux Kernel 5.4 Released
A number of new changes and improvements have reached the Linux kernel.
-
System76 To Design And Build Laptops In-House
In-house designed and built laptops coming from System76.
-
News and views on the GPU revolution in HPC and Big Data:
-
The PinePhone Pre-Order has Arrived
Anyone looking to finally get their hands on an early release of the PinePhone can do so as of November 15.