RHCSA (15): A Deep Dive into the Shell on GNU/Linux

Podcast: The RHCSA Series Podcast
Season: 1 (Episodes 1 - 25)
Episode: 15
Title: RHCSA (15): A Deep Dive into the Shell on GNU/Linux
Release date: October 7, 2025
Produced by: Djere Services Group

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Associated article: https://djere.com/rhcsa-15-a-deep-div...

NOTE: This podcast is 100% independent, and is in no way affiliated with Red Hat.

Mission: This podcast is 100% focused on 1 goal: providing knowledge to help its listeners pass the RHCSA exam.

Executive Summary
The shell is an essential component of every GNU/Linux system, serving as the primary interface between the user and the operating system. This article is designed to prepare future RHCSA candidates by providing a thorough examination of the shell’s role in GNU/Linux, with a focus on its history, practical usage, and advanced capabilities. The shell is a command language interpreter that allows users to run programs, manage files, compile source code, and control nearly every aspect of the computer.

Future RHCSA holders will gain a clear understanding of how to use the shell through consoles and terminals, including how to execute commands, navigate command history, and use tab completion to speed up their work. The article explains how to connect commands using pipes and redirection, as well as how to leverage variables and aliases to customize the shell environment. It also teaches how to make these settings permanent for future sessions.

Special attention is given to the Bourne Again Shell, commonly known as Bash, which is the standard shell on most GNU/Linux systems, including both RPM-based and Debian-based distributions. Other notable shells, such as the C shell (csh), Korn shell (ksh), tcsh, and ash, are also briefly introduced for comparison. Readers will learn how to use built-in resources like man pages and other documentation tools to deepen their command-line skills.

By the end of this article, future RHCSA-certified professionals will be equipped with the knowledge to confidently use the shell as a powerful tool for daily tasks, system management, and advanced scripting.