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How to write a Bash script to run commands

9 March 2023 by Luke Reynolds

Bash scripting is a powerful tool for automating complex tasks in Linux and Unix
systems. One of the key features of bash scripting is the ability to run system
commands within a script, enabling developers to automate repetitive tasks or
complex work�ows. In this article, we will explore the basic syntax and best
practices for writing a bash script to run commands. Whether youʼre a beginner or
an intermediate-level bash programmer, this article will provide you with the
foundational knowledge and skills to create robust and e�cient scripts that can
automate even the most complex tasks.

In this tutorial you will learn:

• Basic syntax for running commands in a bash script

• How to pass arguments and options to commands within a bash script
• Using conditionals and loops to run commands conditionally or iteratively

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Bash script to run commands

So�ware Requirements and Linux Command Line Conventions

Category Requirements, Conventions or So�ware Version Used

System Any Linux distro

So�ware N/A

Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the sudo

Other
command.

# – requires given linux commands to be executed with root

privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command
Conventions
$ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-
privileged user

Basic syntax of running commands in a bash script

The basic syntax for running commands in a bash script is simple and
straightforward. To run a command within a script, simply enter the command as
you would in the command-line interface.

For example, to run the ls command within a script, you would write:

1 #!/bin/bash
2

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ls

This script will execute the ls command when it is run, and display the contents of
the current directory.

To run multiple commands within a script, simply add them to the script on separate
lines:

1 #!/bin/bash
2 ls
3 pwd
4 echo "Hello, world!

In this script, the ls , pwd , and echo commands will all be executed sequentially
when the script is run.

Itʼs important to note that when running commands within a script, any output from
the command will be displayed on the console unless it is redirected or captured by
the script. To capture command output, you can use shell variables or redirection
operators to send output to a �le or other location.

Overall, understanding the basic syntax of running commands in a bash script is

crucial for creating scripts that can automate complex tasks and work�ows in Linux
and Unix systems.

How to pass arguments and options to commands within a bash script

Passing arguments and options to commands within a bash script is a powerful
feature that enables scripts to be customized and controlled based on user input or
other factors. There are several ways to pass arguments and options to commands
within a bash script, including:

Command-line arguments

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These are values passed to the script when it is executed, and can be accessed within
the script using special variables. For example, the �rst argument passed to the
script can be accessed using $1 , the second using $2 , and so on. Hereʼs an
example:

1 #!/bin/bash
2 echo "The first argument is $1"
3 echo "The second argument is $2"

If this script is run with the command ./myscript.sh foo bar , the output will be:

Command-line arguments

Options

Options are �ags that can be used to modify the behavior of commands. They are
typically preceded by a dash ( - ) or two dashes ( -- ). To pass options to a command
within a script, simply include the option(s) as part of the command. Hereʼs an
example:

1 #!/bin/bash
2 ls -l /path/to/dir

In this script, the ls command is run with the -l option, which causes it to display
the long format listing of �les in the speci�ed directory.

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Prompting for input

Sometimes it may be necessary to prompt the user for input within a script. This can
be done using the read command, which reads a line of input from the user and
stores it in a variable. Hereʼs an example:

1 #!/bin/bash
2 echo -n "Please enter your name: "
3 read name
4 echo "Hello, $name!"

In this script, the read command prompts the user for their name and stores the
input in the name variable, which is then used to display a personalized greeting.

Overall, passing arguments and options to commands within a bash script is a

powerful feature that can make scripts more versatile and user-friendly. By
understanding how to use command-line arguments, options, and input prompts,
bash programmers can create scripts that can be customized to �t a wide range of
use cases.

Example of Bash script that runs a commands to backup a MySQL

database

1 #!/bin/bash
2
3 # Define MySQL database connection parameters
4 DB_HOST="localhost"
5 DB_PORT="3306"
6 DB_USER="root"
7

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DB_PASSWORD="password"
DB_NAME="mydatabase"

# Define backup file name and path

BACKUP_DIR="/var/backups/mysql"
BACKUP_FILE="$DB_NAME-backup-$(date +%Y-%m-%d-%H-%M-%S).sql.gz
BACKUP_PATH="$BACKUP_DIR/$BACKUP_FILE"

# Create backup directory if it doesn't exist

if [ ! -d "$BACKUP_DIR" ]
then
mkdir -p "$BACKUP_DIR"
fi

# Use mysqldump to create a backup of the database and compres

mysqldump --host="$DB_HOST" --port="$DB_PORT" --user="$DB_USER

# Verify that the backup file was created successfully

if [ -f "$BACKUP_PATH" ]
then
echo "Database backup created successfully: $BACKUP_PATH
else
echo "Error creating database backup"
fi

In this script, we de�ne variables for the MySQL database connection parameters
and the backup �le name and path. We then create the backup directory if it doesnʼt
exist. We use the mysqldump command to create a backup of the speci�ed database,
and pipe the output to the gzip command to compress it. The resulting backup �le
is saved to the speci�ed backup path.

Finally, we verify that the backup �le was created successfully and display a message
indicating whether the backup was successful or not. By using a bash script to run
the mysqldump command and compress the resulting backup �le, we can automate

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the backup process and ensure that our MySQL database is backed up regularly and
reliably.

Conclusion
In conclusion, using bash scripts to run commands can greatly enhance the power
and �exibility of Linux and Unix systems, enabling developers to automate complex
tasks and work�ows. By understanding the basic syntax of running commands,
passing arguments and options, and using conditionals and loops, intermediate-level
bash programmers can create robust and e�cient scripts that can handle a wide
range of use cases.

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• An Introduction to Linux Automation, Tools and Techniques

• Mastering Bash Script Loops
• Nested Loops in Bash Scripts
• Mint 20: Better Than Ubuntu and Microso� Windows?
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• Handling User Input in Bash Scripts
• Ubuntu 20.04 Guide
• How to Use a Bash Script to Run Your Python Scripts
• Things to install on Ubuntu 22.04
• Can Linux Get Viruses? Exploring the Vulnerability of Linux…

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