How do Bash scripts and Python work together in IT automation?

Bash is useful for system commands and task orchestration, while Python handles more complex logic, data processing, and automation workflows.

Why use the with statement when handling files in Python?

The with statement automatically closes the file when the block ends, reducing resource leaks and cleanup errors.

What is the main advantage of automated testing in Python development?

Automated tests quickly verify that code changes work as expected and help prevent regressions in existing features.

Free online course IT Automation

Duration of the online course: 6 hours and 20 minutes

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Automate IT tasks with Python and Bash, improve debugging and testing skills, and earn a free course certificate to boost your tech career.

In this free course, learn about

Install and verify Python on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Understand core OS responsibilities vs. tasks not handled by an OS
Use Bash with Python for automation and debugging workflows
Run Python scripts from the command line and interpret output/errors
Write basic Python tests; know benefits of automated testing
Debug systematically, including binary search to narrow causes quickly
Handle files in Python: open/read/write and safe resource handling with 'with'
Apply regular expressions in Python to search, match, and validate text for automation
Use key Linux shell commands, including mkdir to create directories
Manage data and processes: inspect/handle running processes and system resources
Capture interactive user input in Python using input()

About the free online course

Save hours of repetitive work by turning routine IT chores into reliable automation. This free online course helps you build practical skills for modern IT and software testing workflows, using Python and Bash to handle real-world tasks more quickly and with fewer errors. Instead of relying on manual steps, you will learn how to run scripts confidently, interact with the operating system, and build simple solutions that scale from personal productivity to team-wide impact.

You will start by getting your environment ready across Windows, macOS, and Linux, so you can work wherever you are most comfortable. From there, you will connect the dots between command-line productivity and Python scripting, understanding when each approach is the best tool for the job. As your automation skills grow, you will practice working with files in a safe, clean way, making your scripts easier to maintain and less likely to break in production. You will also explore how pattern matching with regular expressions can quickly turn messy text into usable data, a common need when dealing with logs, configuration files, and system outputs.

Beyond writing scripts, the course emphasizes the mindset that separates ad-hoc tinkering from dependable engineering: testing and troubleshooting. You will see why automated tests are a cornerstone of high-quality software and how they reduce risk when code changes. You will also strengthen your debugging habits and learn structured approaches to narrowing down issues efficiently, so problems that once felt random become measurable and solvable. Finally, you will touch on managing data and processes and gathering interactive input, rounding out the essentials needed to build automation that is both useful and user-friendly.

By the end, you will be better prepared to contribute to IT operations, quality assurance, and automation-focused roles, with skills that translate directly into day-to-day technical work and help you communicate more effectively with developers and system administrators.

Course content

Video class: Installing Python on Windows, Mac, and Linux | Google IT Automation with Python Certificate 30m
Exercise: Which of the following is NOT a task typically handled by an operating system (OS)?
Video class: Working with Bash and Python | Google IT Automation with Python Certificate 32m
Exercise: What is the primary benefit of using a Bash script for debugging tasks?

Video class: Testing Python for Beginners | Google IT Automation with Python Certificate 48m
Exercise: What is the primary benefit of implementing automatic tests in software development?
Video class: How to Run a Python Script | Google IT Automation with Python Certificate 36m
Exercise: What is an advantage of using an interpreted language like Python over a compiled language like C?
Video class: Python File Handling | Google IT Automation with Python Certificate 40m
Exercise: In Python, when working with files, what is one primary advantage of using the 'with' statement over the traditional open and close methods?
Video class: Regular Expressions in Python | Google IT Automation with Python Certificate 56m
Exercise: What is the purpose of using regular expressions (regex) in IT automation?

Video class: The Linux Operating System and Bashing | Google IT Automation with Python Certificate 25m
Exercise: Which command is used in Linux to create a new directory?
Video class: Troubleshooting When It Doesn't Work! | Google IT Automation with Python Certificate 1h03m
Exercise: What is a common debugging technique used to efficiently find the cause of a problem in a large list of possibilities, especially when the list is sorted?
Video class: Managing Data and Processes | Google IT Automation with Python Certificate 45m
Exercise: Which Python function is used to capture user input interactively?