COMP7004 - Systems Scripting

Lecture 1: Module Introduction

Dr. Vincent Emeakaroha

vincent.emeakaroha@mtu.ie

Semester 2, 2026

Lecture Outline

• Lecturer Introduction

• Learning Outcome

• Teaching Plan

• Assessment

• Module Motivation

Lecturer

• Dr. Vincent C. Emeakaroha

• Lecturer in Computer Science Department

• Email: vincent.emeakaroha@mtu.ie

• Office Location: C123B

• Qualification

• Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, UCC, 2017

• Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, UCC, 2016

• PhD. in Computer Science, TU Vienna, 2012

• MSocEcSc. in Computer Science Management, TU Vienna, 2009

• MSc. in Software Engineering and Internet Computing, TU Vienna, 2008

• BSc. in Technical Computer Science, TU Vienna, 2006

Module Objectives

• Automating administration tasks

• Identification of scenarios where scripting may help.

• Script design to automate repetitive tasks.

• Troubleshooting.

• Scripting skills

• To support system administrators in their daily tasks.

• Efficient problem solving.

• Description

• https://mtu.akarisoftware.com/index.cfm/page/module/moduleId/13100

Indicative Content

• Bash Scripting

• Bash syntax, sed, awk, grep, diff, join, etc.

• Bash Programming using loops, arrays, etc.

• Unix and Windows CLI. cmdlets.

• Managing processes, services, events and network connections,

Troubleshooting.

• Script Deployment

• Remote and local deployment.

• Deployment in modern networks and domains.

• Windows vs. Linux based deployments.

Indicative Content

• Scripting in a high-level Language - Python

• Language syntax.

• Importing and using available libraries.

• Writing scripts to perform tasks such as querying storage devices.

• Running external processes.

• Managing user accounts.

• Monitoring file systems and processes.

• Analysing log files.

• Monitor and map network services, processes.

• Package management.

• Statistics gathering and reporting.

• Phases of script design.

Learning Outcome

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify system administration and automation tasks

where scripting may be of assistance.

• Solve system administration problems using a shell

interface.

• Develop complex script in a modern scripting language.

• Deploy scripts in a manner which takes the Information

Technology (IT) infrastructure into account.

Teaching Plan

• Classroom session

• Daytime

• 1 hr

• 2x per week

• Evening

• 2 hrs once a week

• Lab session

• 2 hrs

• Once per week for each group

• Teaching materials (Lectures & Labs)

• Available on Canvas

• Weekly updates

Assessment / Evaluation

• Assessment 1 project: 25% (Release 13/02 and submit on 15/03)

• Bash scripting

• Small Bash based applications

• Individual project presentation after submission

• Assessment 2 project: 35% (Release 23/03 and submit on 26/04)

• Python programming

• Solving small complex tasks in Python

• Individual project presentation after submission

• Lab based exam (Week starting on 5

May): 40%

• Bash based scripting

• Python programming

Systems Scripting Motivation

1. Automation can save time and stress.

2. Scripting keeps things consistent.

3. The knowledge is portable.

4. It is not as difficult as you might think.

• Scripting languages

1. Shell/Bash Scripting

2. Python Programming

Shell Scripting: Overview

• Linux has a variety of different shells:

• Bourne shell (sh), C shell (csh), Korn shell (ksh), TC shell (tcsh), Bourne Again

shell (bash), Z shell (zsh).

• Certainly the most popular shell is “bash”. Bash is an sh-compatible shell

that incorporates useful features from the Korn shell (ksh) and C shell (csh).

• It is intended to conform to the IEEE POSIX P1003.2/ISO 9945.2 Shell and

Tools standard.

• It offers functional improvements over sh for both programming and

interactive use.

Bash scripting: Motivation

• Bash scripting allows us to use the shell's abilities and to automate a

lot of tasks that would otherwise require

• Many commands,

• Our constant attention.

• Bash is not only an excellent command line shell, but a full scripting

language in itself.

• One of the earliest and most stable scripting languages.

Bash Scripting: Motivation

• Portability

• Portable across different variants of Linux.

• Supports various system architectures.

• Full fledged programming language

• Provides all capabilities of a programming language.

• Important usage areas

• Task automation.

• Customised execution.

• Running a lot of programs in series.

Python Programming: Motivations

• Why learning Python as a programming language?

• It is an easy to learn programming language.

• You will start producing scripts from day 1!

• It is a widely used language, with a vast community providing:

• Live documentations.

• Audio/visual talks.

• Wiki, tutorials, blogs, mailing lists, etc.

• Conferences.

• Like Bash Scripting, Python is as well an interpreted language

• It has more friendly syntax (others might not agree ☺)

Python Programming: Motivations

• It is present in multiple computer science areas, so it will strengthen

your skills and your professional opportunities.

• Loads of LinkedIn, Monster job offers require Python.

• It allows system administrators to do their job more quickly, and can

make tasks more friendly (less tedious).

• Examples of tasks Python can do smoothly:

• Search for files and show permissions in a friendly format.

• Perform operations on a tar archive.

• Check for a running process and show information in a friendly format.

• Check user ids and passwords for policy compliance.

• Easy development of personal password management system.

• It is also actively used in web development.

Bash Scripting and Python

Programming: Summary

In summary, Python and Bash shell are both important and

relevant for system scripting.

Asking if it is better to learn one or another is like asking if it is

better to run or to ride a bike…

…it simply depends on what you are intending to achieve!

Thank You!