Write BASH prog: automate tasks — make life easy!

An example — backups!

#!/bin/bash

# -- the date/time in format: yyyy_mm_dd_hh:mm:ss
DATE=`date +%Y_%m_%d_%H\:%M\:%S`

# -- rsync from sekhmet :
rsync -av -e ssh --delete simonh@sekhmet.dom: /home/simonh/bak_sekhmet

# -- daily snapshot using hard-links :
cp -al /home/simonh/bak_sekhmet /home/simonh/bak_sekhmet_snaps/$DATE

More:

• Bash Guide for Beginners: online, PDF;
• Bash Advanced Scripting Guide: online, PDF.