The Bash Shell

Bash is a commonly-used shell that gives you the power to do simple tasks more quickly.

Windows

Video Tutorial

  1. Download the Git for Windows installer: https://git-for-windows.github.io/.
  2. Run the installer and follow the steps bellow:
    1. Click on “Next”.
    2. Click on “Next”.
    3. Keep “Use Git from the Windows Command Prompt” selected and click on “Next”. If you forgot to do this programs that you need for the workshop will not work properly. If this happens rerun the installer and select the appropriate option.
    4. Click on “Next”.
    5. Keep “Checkout Windows-style, commit Unix-style line endings” selected and click on “Next”.
    6. Keep “Use Windows’ default console window” selected and click on “Next”.
    7. Click on “Install”.
    8. Click on “Finish”.
  3. If your “HOME” environment variable is not set (or you don’t know what this is):
    1. Open command prompt (Open Start Menu then type cmd and press [Enter])
    2. Type the following line into the command prompt window exactly as shown: setx HOME "%USERPROFILE%"
    3. Press [Enter], you should see SUCCESS: Specified value was saved.
    4. Quit command prompt by typing exit then pressing [Enter]

This will provide you with both Git and Bash in the Git Bash program.

macOS

The default shell in all versions of macOS is Bash, so no need to install anything. You access Bash from the Terminal (found in /Applications/Utilities). See the Git installation video tutorial for an example on how to open the Terminal. You may want to keep Terminal in your dock for this workshop.

Linux

The default shell is usually Bash, but if your machine is set up differently you can run it by opening a terminal and typing bash. There is no need to install anything.

Chromebook

You already have a shell that ships with every Chromebook by opening a browser and pressing Ctrl + Alt + t, you will be in a crosh shell. If you type shell in there, you will be presented with a bash shell. This shell has SSH, to connect to our servers.

Having said that, you will be much better off if you can install Termux. However, if you are unable to use the Google Play Store (e.g., signed in under your VT ID), you can use the Secure Shell App. This means you’ll have to setup SSH, and will be doing all of your work on the server.

Another option is to setup Cruton, which will install Linux along Chrome OS.