How to Run a Shell Script in Linux: 5 Best Ways

Shell scripts in Linux are text files that contain a series of commands executed by the shell interpreter, like Bash or Zsh. They offer a powerful way to automate tasks and boost productivity. To make the most of shell scripting in Linux, it’s important to understand them. In this article, I’ll walk you through five methods to run a shell script in Linux, share four best practices, and provide four troubleshooting tips. By mastering shell scripting, you’ll be able to improve efficiency and enhance your Linux experience.

How to Run a Shell Script in Linux [5 Simple Ways]

To run a shell script in Linux, you can execute it directly from the command line, use the shebang at the script’s beginning, run it via the Bash command, execute it using absolute paths, or leverage environment variables. These five methods offer flexibility and convenience for running shell scripts in Linux. Now, let’s explore them here:

1. Run Shell Scripts Directly

This method involves executing shell script in Linux directly from the command line. Here’s what you need to do:

1. In the Terminal interface, create a script using the command

touch script_name.sh

2. Then, open this script with nano script_name.sh and add the following script to the file:

#!/bin/bash

# This is a sample shell script

echo "Hello, World!"
echo "This script demonstrates how to run a script in Linux."

# Additional commands and functionality can be added here

3. Save this script with Ctrl + O and then exit the Nano editor with Ctrl + X.

4. Use the command below to run the script, where script_name.sh will be the name of your shell script file.

./script_name.sh

5. Make the script executable with the command:

chmod +x script_name.sh

6. Your shell script will execute, and you’ll get the following output in the Terminal:

2. Use Shebang (#!/bin/bash)

Shebang is a special sequence of characters (#!/bin/bash) placed at the beginning of a shell script file. It specifies the interpreter to use when executing the script. Follow the steps below to run a shell script in Linux:

1. Open a text editor to create a new file for your shell script in Linux.

2. Add #!/bin/bash as the first line of the file, and add your script code below the shebang line.

#!/bin/bash
echo "This script demonstrates how to run a script in Linux with the Shebang notation."

3. Save the file with the .sh extension (e.g., script_name.sh).

4. Now, head to the Terminal and make the script executable using the command:

chmod +x script_name.sh

5. Execute the script in the Terminal by running:

./script_name.sh

6. The script will execute using the Bash interpreter specified in the shebang line and display the output in the Terminal.

3. Run Shell Scripts via Bash Command

This method involves using the bash command to execute shell scripts explicitly. Follow the steps below to use this method:

1. In the text editor, create a script file with the following content:

#!/bin/bash

echo "This script demonstrates how to run a script in Linux with the Bash command."

2. Execute the script using the command below, where script_name.sh is the name of your shell script file:

 bash script_name.sh

3. The script will run using the Bash interpreter, displaying the output in the Terminal.

4. Executing Shell Scripts Using Absolute Paths

Explanation: In this method, you can execute shell scripts by specifying their absolute paths.

1. Use cd to navigate to the directory where your script file is saved, and determine the absolute path of your shell script using the command:

pwd

2. After that, make the script executable using the chmod command.

chmod +x scriptname.sh

3. Then, execute the script by running the following command, replacing /absolute/path/to/ with the actual path of your script:

/absolute/path/to/script_name.sh

4. Your script will execute using the specified absolute path and display the output in the Terminal.

5. Utilizing Environment Variables

Environment variables provide a way to pass information to shell scripts during execution. Let’s create a script that uses an environment variable to customize its behavior:

1. Open a text editor and write the following lines:

#!/bin/bash
echo "Welcome, $USERNAME!"

2. Save the file as welcome.sh and close it.

3. Now, head to the Terminal and set an environment variable by running (replace “Name” with your desired username):

export USERNAME="Name"

4. Make the script executable with the command:

chmod +x welcome.sh

4. Then, execute the script by running:

./welcome.sh

5. The script will execute and display a customized welcome message based on the value of the USERNAME environment variable.

4 Quick Tips for Shell Scripting in Linux

Here are the four best four tips for shell scripting in Linux, which will help you write efficient and reliable scripts to automate tasks and enhance your Linux experience:

• 💡 Plan and Outline Your Script: Before diving into writing your shell script, take some time to plan and outline the tasks and logic you want to accomplish. Consider the inputs, desired outputs, and necessary commands or conditions. This will help you structure your script and ensure a smooth development process.
• ⚙️ Use Meaningful Variable Names: When working with variables in your shell script, choose descriptive names that clearly convey their purpose. Meaningful variable names improve code readability and make it easier for you and others to understand the script’s functionality. Avoid generic or ambiguous names that might lead to confusion.
• 🔄 Implement Error Handling: You should script with such commands to handle errors for unexpected situations or failures. This means that you can use conditional statements, such as if and else, to check for errors or validate inputs. Additionally, utilize exit codes ($?) to indicate success or failure at different stages of your script. Implementing error handling enhances the robustness and reliability of your shell scripts.
• 📚 Leverage Documentation and Online Resources: Shell scripting in Linux has a vast community and extensive documentation available. Take advantage of online resources, forums, and official documentation to expand your knowledge and find solutions to specific problems. Familiarize yourself with the Linux command-line tools and their functionalities, as they often provide efficient solutions for common tasks.

4 Common Issues and Errors When Shell Scripting in Linux

Even with the best practices in place, shell scripting can sometimes encounter issues. In this section, I will discuss common problems and provide troubleshooting tips to help you overcome them.

• ⚙️ Syntax Errors: Syntax errors in shell scripts can hinder proper execution. To troubleshoot them, you should double-check command syntax, ensure the correct placement of quotes, parentheses, and special characters, use linting tools for error detection and suggestions, and comment out sections to isolate the problematic line.
• 🔒 Permission Denied Error: If you encounter a “Permission denied” error while executing a shell script, troubleshoot and resolve it by checking the file’s permissions using ls -l, granting execute permissions with chmod +x script_name.sh, and verifying correct ownership or group ownership.
• ❗️ Command Not Found Error: When facing a “Command not found” error, ensure the required command is installed on your system, use which command_name to locate the command’s path, and update the script accordingly. Also, check accessibility in the current environment and consider modifying the PATH variable.
• 🐞 Runtime Errors and Unexpected Output: If you encounter runtime errors or unexpected output during script execution, review error messages, implement error handling techniques like conditional statements and error codes, and debug the script using temporary echo statements or tools like set -x for tracing and identifying problematic code.

Wrapping Up

By mastering the diverse ways to run shell scripts in Linux outlined in this article, you can optimize your Linux command line experience. Additionally, by being aware of the common errors and knowing how to resolve them will help you streamline your workflows efficiently. Furthermore, following the best practices in shell scripting, such as planning and outlining your script, using meaningful variable names, implementing error handling, and leveraging documentation and online resources, will ensure that your scripts are robust, maintainable, and effective.

And in the end, there’s still so much more to explore in the world of Linux and shell scripting. To learn further, check out my articles on debugging code, reading files, and converting strings to numbers in Bash.” With continuous learning and practice, you’ll become a pro at using shell scripts in Linux, achieving incredible results. So, keep learning, keep experimenting, and unlock the full potential of shell scripting in Linux to accomplish amazing things!

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