command line

The bc command (short for "Basic Calculator") in Bash provides a robust way to perform arithmetic operations, especially when dealing with floating-point calculations, which are not natively supported in Bash. Here's a comprehensive guide to using bc for basic arithmetic in Bash scripts. Floating-Point Arithmetic: Bash supports only integer arithmetic by default. bc handles floating-point calculations. Advanced Operations: It supports mathematical functions like exponentiation and can use scale to control decimal precision. Scripting-Friendly: Easily integrates into Bash scripts.

If you're looking to dive deep into Bash and become proficient with Linux command-line tools, here are three highly regarded books that are both informative and widely acclaimed: The Linux Command Line: A Complete Introduction by William E. Shotts, Jr. Why it’s great: This book is a fantastic starting point for beginners who want to understand the basics of Linux and the command line. It covers Bash fundamentals, command syntax, file system navigation, and more. Shotts takes a clear, approachable, and comprehensive approach, gradually building up your skills. Key Features: Clear explanations of common command-line tools and Bash concepts. Emphasis on hands-on practice with examples and exercises.