Bash

Bash scripting, shell fundamentals, automation patterns, and common pitfalls.

Discarding command output by redirecting it to /dev/null in Linux

Sep 30, 2026 • 7 min read

What Is /dev/null in Linux

The Linux /dev/null device discards anything written to it and returns EOF when read. This guide shows how to silence stdout, stderr, cron output, and empty files.

Incrementing and decrementing a counter variable in a Bash script

Sep 20, 2026 • 7 min read • series

How to Increment and Decrement a Variable in Bash: Counter Examples

Bash provides several ways to increment and decrement a counter variable in scripts. This guide covers the +/- operators, += and -= assignment operators, and the ++ and -- shorthand with practical examples.

Bash script arguments represented as connected command-line parameters

Sep 19, 2026 • 8 min read • series

How to Pass Arguments to a Bash Script

Read command-line input in Bash: positional parameters, $@ versus $*, default values, named --options, getopts, and fixes for common argument errors.

Sep 16, 2026 • 8 min read • series

Bash while Loop: Syntax and Examples

Bash while loop syntax and examples: infinite loops, reading files line by line, arithmetic conditions, and the break and continue statements.

Sep 14, 2026 • 5 min read

pwd Command in Linux: Print the Current Working Directory

The pwd command prints the current working directory in Linux. This guide covers pwd syntax, the -L and -P options, $PWD and $(pwd) in scripts, and how symlinks affect the output.

Using the pwd command to print the current working directory in Linux

Sep 9, 2026 • 10 min read • series

Bash For Loop: Syntax and Examples

A complete guide to the Bash for loop: standard syntax, C-style loops, arrays, ranges, break and continue, and real-world scripting examples.

Bash for loop syntax examples in a terminal

Sep 5, 2026 • 8 min read • series

Bash source Command: Load Scripts and Variables

Use source (or its dot shorthand) to run a file in your current shell, reload .bashrc, share functions between scripts, and load variables from a config file.

Using the Bash source command to load scripts and variables

Aug 31, 2026 • 10 min read

What Is .bashrc? When It Runs and What to Put in It

~/.bashrc controls aliases, functions, prompts, and other interactive Bash settings. See when it runs, what belongs inside it, and how to reload changes.

A .bashrc configuration file loading settings into an interactive Bash shell

Aug 30, 2026 • 7 min read • series

How to Create Bash Aliases

Bash aliases let you shorten long commands into short, memorable shortcuts. This guide covers alias syntax, persistent aliases in .bashrc, and bash functions for shortcuts that take arguments.

Aug 28, 2026 • 9 min read • series

How to Add a Directory to PATH in Linux

Add a directory to the PATH variable in Linux, temporarily or permanently, covering ~/.local/bin, custom binaries, and system-wide changes for all users.

Adding a directory to the PATH environment variable in Linux

Aug 28, 2026 • 7 min read • series

.bashrc vs .bash_profile: What is the Difference?

Understand the difference between .bashrc and .bash_profile, when each file is loaded, and where to put aliases, PATH changes, and environment variables.

Aug 25, 2026 • 7 min read

How to Create a File in Linux

Create a file in Linux from the command line with touch, redirection, cat, echo, printf, or a heredoc, and build large test files with fallocate, truncate, and dd.

Creating files in Linux from the command line

Aug 23, 2026 • 8 min read • series

Bash Append to File: >>, tee, and Heredoc Examples

Append text to a file in Bash without erasing existing content. Covers >>, echo, printf, tee -a for protected files, and combining files.

Appending text to a file in Bash using the >> redirection operator

Aug 20, 2026 • 9 min read • series

Bash Best Practices: Writing Safer, Cleaner Scripts

Practical Bash best practices for writing safer and more predictable scripts, covering strict mode, quoting, error handling, and everyday patterns.

Bash best practices for writing safer and cleaner shell scripts

Aug 19, 2026 • 11 min read • series

How to Redirect stderr to stdout in Bash

Redirecting stderr and stdout in Bash using 2>&1, &>, and other operators. Covers file descriptors, appending, piping errors, and discarding output with /dev/null.

Aug 18, 2026 • 6 min read • series

How to Run a Bash Script in Linux

Run a bash script in Linux with chmod +x, the bash interpreter, or source. Step-by-step examples with common errors and fixes.

Aug 17, 2026 • 7 min read • series

sleep Command in Linux: Pause a Bash Script

How to use the sleep command in bash to pause script execution. Examples cover seconds, minutes, sleep infinity, retry loops, countdowns, and background sleeps.