What exactly can shell scripting (Unix and Linux) do for the real world?

Question

Tech guys, please help with my question.
I would like to know the very practical usage of Unix/Linux shell scripting capabilities in a real life.

== Example ===
Backing up data with a scheduled cron job
Sending email notice to some users for some event occurrence.

What else?

It's got to be many more to use scripting efficiently.
Please someone tech people shed light for me.. Thank you

Answer 1

It's a scripting language... it's built so that whatever you want to do, you can do it. There's not really any one specific thing it's used for by anyone.

Answer 2

Generally it helps run automatic tasks or do tasks more quickly if it takes several different commands and variables to run.



I remember from my old server administration teacher said that he used a script to check how much resources the printer driver was taking to do print pooling. Because it occasionally had a memory link (that caused it to keep increasing system resources as time went one), he set it so if it took to much resources, the script would kill the printer pool and start it back up.



Another example from the same teacher, said that he made a script that Linux would start up the GUI whenever it get a request to start a remote desktop program (besides SSH) and then stop it when they disconnect.



For me I have made a simple script when ever I want to access my server. I made it do a wake-on-lan command (for remote bootup), wait a few seconds, then begin SSH to remotely access the server. All with just one command.

Answer 3

The classic debate is between vi and emacs. Once you choose and learn one of the two, you are bound by the laws of nature to defend it against slander by users of the other for all eternity. In reality they're both really good, though if you choose emacs I'll never speak to you again. ;) Good luck!

Answer 4

Can't beat this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYcF_xX2DE8