Shell Scripting Interview Questions and Answers
Freshers / Beginner level questions & answers
Ques 1. What is a shebang line in a shell script?
A shebang line is a special comment that specifies the path to the interpreter for the script.
Ques 2. How do you comment out multiple lines in a shell script?
You can use the `: ' comment ' :` syntax to comment out multiple lines.
Ques 3. Explain the use of the `shift` command in a shell script.
The `shift` command is used to shift the positional parameters to the left.
Ques 4. How can you check if a file exists in a shell script?
You can use the `test` command or the `[ -e file ]` syntax to check if a file exists.
Ques 5. How do you read input from the user in a shell script?
You can use the `read` command to read input from the user.
Ques 6. Explain the use of the `grep` command in shell scripting.
The `grep` command is used to search for a pattern in text files.
Ques 7. How do you use the `for` loop in a shell script?
The `for` loop is used to iterate over a sequence of values or elements.
Ques 8. Explain the purpose of the `case` statement in a shell script.
The `case` statement is used for multiple-choice decision-making in a shell script.
Ques 9. What is the purpose of the `basename` command in shell scripting?
The `basename` command is used to strip directory and suffix from filenames.
Ques 10. How can you check the status of the last command in a shell script?
You can use the `$?` variable to check the exit status of the last command.
Ques 11. What is the purpose of the `export` command in shell scripting?
The `export` command is used to make environment variables available to child processes.
Ques 12. How do you use the `while` loop in a shell script?
The `while` loop is used to repeatedly execute a block of statements as long as a condition is true.
Ques 13. How do you check if a variable is set in a shell script?
You can use the `isset` or `[ -z $var ]` syntax to check if a variable is set.
Ques 14. Explain the use of the `dirname` command in shell scripting.
The `dirname` command is used to extract the directory component of a pathname.
Ques 15. How can you find the length of a string in a shell script?
You can use the `expr length $string` or `${#string}` syntax to find the length of a string.
Ques 16. What is the purpose of the `printf` command in shell scripting?
The `printf` command is used for formatted printing in shell scripts.
Ques 17. How do you use arithmetic operations in a shell script?
You can use the `expr` command or $((expression)) syntax for arithmetic operations.
Ques 18. How do you check if a directory exists in a shell script?
You can use the `test` command or `[ -d directory ]` syntax to check if a directory exists.
Ques 19. What is the purpose of the `shift` command in a shell script?
The `shift` command is used to shift the positional parameters to the left.
Ques 20. How do you use the `case` statement in a shell script?
The `case` statement is used for multiple-choice decision-making in a shell script.
Ques 21. What is the purpose of the `continue` statement in a shell script?
The `continue` statement is used to skip the rest of a loop's code and start the next iteration.
Ques 22. Explain the use of the `grep` command in shell scripting.
The `grep` command is used to search for a pattern in text files.
Ques 23. What is the purpose of the `echo` command in shell scripting?
The `echo` command is used to print messages or variables to the standard output.
Ques 24. Explain the use of the `case` statement in a shell script.
The `case` statement is used for multiple-choice decision-making in a shell script.
Ques 25. How do you use command substitution in a shell script?
Command substitution allows the output of a command to replace the command itself, and it can be done using `$(command)`.
Ques 26. Explain the use of the `test` command in shell scripting.
The `test` command is used to evaluate expressions and conditions in shell scripts.
Ques 27. What is the purpose of the `dirname` command in shell scripting?
The `dirname` command is used to extract the directory component of a pathname.
Ques 28. How do you use the `if` statement in a shell script?
The `if` statement is used for conditional execution in a shell script.
Intermediate / 1 to 5 years experienced level questions & answers
Ques 29. Explain the difference between single and double brackets in conditional statements.
Single brackets are the traditional test command, while double brackets are an enhanced version with additional features.
Ques 30. What is the purpose of the `set` command in a shell script?
The `set` command is used to change the behavior of the script by modifying shell options.
Ques 31. What is the purpose of the `trap` command in a shell script?
The `trap` command is used to catch signals and execute a command when they occur.
Ques 32. What is the purpose of the `cut` command in a shell script?
The `cut` command is used to extract specific columns or fields from a text file.
Ques 33. Explain the use of the `awk` command in shell scripting.
The `awk` command is used for pattern scanning and processing in a text file.
Ques 34. How do you redirect both standard output and standard error to the same file?
You can use `command > file 2>&1` to redirect both stdout and stderr to the same file.
Ques 35. Explain the use of the `expr` command in shell scripting.
The `expr` command is used for evaluating expressions in shell scripts.
Ques 36. Explain the use of the `tee` command in shell scripting.
The `tee` command is used to redirect output to multiple files and the standard output.
Ques 37. What is a here document in shell scripting?
A here document is a way to redirect input into a command or a file using <<.
Ques 38. What is the purpose of the `getopts` command in shell scripting?
The `getopts` command is used to parse command-line options in shell scripts.
Ques 39. Explain the use of the `declare` command in shell scripting.
The `declare` command is used to set attributes for variables in a shell script.
Ques 40. Explain the use of the `eval` command in shell scripting.
The `eval` command is used to evaluate a command or an expression.
Ques 41. What is the purpose of the `cut` command in a shell script?
The `cut` command is used to extract specific columns or fields from a text file.
Ques 42. Explain the use of the `select` statement in a shell script.
The `select` statement is used for creating simple menus in shell scripts.
Ques 43. Explain the use of the `cut` command in a shell script.
The `cut` command is used to extract specific columns or fields from a text file.
Ques 44. What is the purpose of the `trap` command in a shell script?
The `trap` command is used to catch signals and execute a command when they occur.
Ques 45. How do you use the `sed` command in a shell script?
The `sed` command is used for stream editing and transformation in a shell script.
Ques 46. How do you use the `find` command in a shell script?
The `find` command is used to search for files and directories based on various criteria.
Ques 47. How do you use the `cut` command in a shell script?
The `cut` command is used to extract specific columns or fields from a text file.
Ques 48. What is the purpose of the `awk` command in shell scripting?
The `awk` command is used for pattern scanning and processing in a text file.
Ques 49. Explain the use of the `tee` command in shell scripting.
The `tee` command is used to redirect output to multiple files and the standard output.
Experienced / Expert level questions & answers
Ques 50. What is process substitution in shell scripting?
Process substitution allows a process's input or output to be referred to using a filename.
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