WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY / D796 STUDY RESOURCE
D796 / UNIX AND LINUX
Comprehensive Performance
Assessment Preparation Guide
Bash Scripts, Flowcharts, Testing and Recorded Demonstration
A COMPLETE ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROJECT
Academic year 2026/2027 | Research-informed original practice project
PUBLICATION NOTICE
Independent educational preparation resource. Not an official WGU rubric, submission, assessment answer key, or guarantee of
a passing result. The current RQN1 task instructions and A-G scoring criteria were not available for verification.
D796 PA Preparation Guide | 1
, WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY / D796 STUDY RESOURCE
Document orientation
SCOPE AND HONESTY WGU confirms the D796 course subject areas. A publicly available current RQN1 A-G
assessment rubric was not found. This guide demonstrates the relevant skills using an original scenario. Its
deliverable list is instructional, not an official WGU submission checklist.
Contents
1. Course alignment and evidence levels
2. Linux environment and essential commands
3. Original practice scenario and deliverables
4. Project 1: workspace initialization
5. Project 2: application log analysis
6. Project 3: compressed backup and verification
7. Flowchart design and E-1 preparation
8. Testing, results and reproducibility
9. Recorded demonstration and Panopto preparation
10. Assessment A-G reconciliation template
11. Troubleshooting and optional skill extensions
12. Oral review questions with answers
13. Final quality and submission readiness checklist
14. References and supporting documentation
1. Course alignment and evidence levels
D796 is Unix and Linux (ICSC 5206), a three-competency-unit graduate course in WGU's M.S. Computer
Science program. The 2026 WGU catalog describes common operating-system commands, shell navigation,
file management, configuring a shell environment, and shell scripting as key topics. The catalog does not
enumerate the current performance assessment's individual A-G deliverables.
Evidence category What is supported How it is used
Official published Course title, 3 CUs, command-line skills, Sets the technical learning scope
course description configuration, automation
Student-reported Record an educational demonstration; show face Informs an optional presentation
mentor guidance and screen; prewritten scripts can be explained on and documentation workflow
camera; provide video URL and Word flowcharts
Student discussions Students report showing code, execution and Informal secondary context, not
results; reports of flowchart-count inconsistencies authoritative assessment text
Original content in this Three scripts, sample dataset, flowcharts, tests, Educational examples that must be
guide narration and extension ideas remapped to the live assessment
D796 PA Preparation Guide | 2
, WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY / D796 STUDY RESOURCE
1.1 Intended learning outcomes
Navigate paths safely and distinguish absolute and relative paths.
Create and manage directories and files using GNU/Linux commands.
Explain permission modes and apply appropriately limited access.
Use Bash variables, positional parameters, validation conditions and loops.
Process text files with AWK and interpret command exit statuses.
Generate compressed archives, checksums and verification records.
Explain a program with an accurate flowchart and repeatable tests.
Record a clear technical demonstration with visible code and verified output.
1.2 Rubric limitation and copyright respect
RQN1 is a student-reported assessment identifier. The exact A-G requirements, required script operations,
exact flowchart number, acceptable file extensions, and grading rules cannot be inferred from course
content alone. The Word diagram file is designed around three examples because three scripts are provided.
Learners should use their own current assessment page when available and revise this practice package
accordingly.
2. Linux environment and essential commands
2.1 Recommended environment
The executable examples target Bash with common GNU utilities on Linux. A learner may use a Linux
distribution of their choice, but the operating system, actual shell used to execute scripts, and tool versions
should be stated accurately. A report of mentor guidance allows any distribution and shell; these specific
scripts still require Bash unless ported.
Area Command Interpretation
Distribution cat /etc/os-release Distribution metadata and identifier
Kernel uname -a Kernel and machine information
Working directory pwd Absolute path to current directory
User whoami Effective username
Current Bash bash --version Bash version, not a generic shell version
Login shell echo "$SHELL" Configured login shell, not proof of current
interpreter
Permissions ls -ld PATH Directory permission flags and ownership
Tool availability command -v awk tar sha256sum Shows whether requisite commands can be
resolved
cat /etc/os-release
uname -a
D796 PA Preparation Guide | 3
, WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY / D796 STUDY RESOURCE
bash --version
pwd
whoami
echo "$SHELL"
command -v awk tar sha256sum
2.2 Core command reference
Command Purpose Example or caution
cd / pwd / ls Change location, print location, Use absolute paths when reproducibility matters.
inspect entries
mkdir -p Create directory tree Existing directories do not cause a failure.
touch / cat Create empty file / display file cat > file overwrites, cat >> file appends.
content
cp / mv Copy or move a file Quote variable paths; check before overwriting.
find Locate files in a directory tree Selection may include unintended files without
filters.
chmod Change permissions 700 on directories; 600 on sample private files.
grep / awk Search or process text This project uses AWK field-based classification.
tar Archive a directory tree tar -czf creates a gzip-compressed archive.
sha256sum Compute / verify a checksum Detects changes, not a substitute for signatures.
echo / printf Print text printf is preferable for predictable formatted
output.
set -euo pipefail Detect common script failures Not a substitute for explicit conditional checks.
exit status $? is last command status 0 indicates success by convention; nonzero means
failure.
2.3 File permissions in context
Unix-style file permissions grant read (r), write (w), and execute (x) access to owner, group, and other users.
For directories, x permits traversal/search. The practice project uses mode 700 for private directories and
mode 600 for generated private records. Permission changes to an existing workspace should not be applied
casually in shared or production locations.
2.4 Shell input, output and variables
workspace="${1:-$HOME/d796_practice}"
printf "Workspace: %s\n" "$workspace"
command > report.txt # replace report
command >> report.txt # append to report
command 2> errors.txt # redirect standard error
D796 PA Preparation Guide | 4
D796 / UNIX AND LINUX
Comprehensive Performance
Assessment Preparation Guide
Bash Scripts, Flowcharts, Testing and Recorded Demonstration
A COMPLETE ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROJECT
Academic year 2026/2027 | Research-informed original practice project
PUBLICATION NOTICE
Independent educational preparation resource. Not an official WGU rubric, submission, assessment answer key, or guarantee of
a passing result. The current RQN1 task instructions and A-G scoring criteria were not available for verification.
D796 PA Preparation Guide | 1
, WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY / D796 STUDY RESOURCE
Document orientation
SCOPE AND HONESTY WGU confirms the D796 course subject areas. A publicly available current RQN1 A-G
assessment rubric was not found. This guide demonstrates the relevant skills using an original scenario. Its
deliverable list is instructional, not an official WGU submission checklist.
Contents
1. Course alignment and evidence levels
2. Linux environment and essential commands
3. Original practice scenario and deliverables
4. Project 1: workspace initialization
5. Project 2: application log analysis
6. Project 3: compressed backup and verification
7. Flowchart design and E-1 preparation
8. Testing, results and reproducibility
9. Recorded demonstration and Panopto preparation
10. Assessment A-G reconciliation template
11. Troubleshooting and optional skill extensions
12. Oral review questions with answers
13. Final quality and submission readiness checklist
14. References and supporting documentation
1. Course alignment and evidence levels
D796 is Unix and Linux (ICSC 5206), a three-competency-unit graduate course in WGU's M.S. Computer
Science program. The 2026 WGU catalog describes common operating-system commands, shell navigation,
file management, configuring a shell environment, and shell scripting as key topics. The catalog does not
enumerate the current performance assessment's individual A-G deliverables.
Evidence category What is supported How it is used
Official published Course title, 3 CUs, command-line skills, Sets the technical learning scope
course description configuration, automation
Student-reported Record an educational demonstration; show face Informs an optional presentation
mentor guidance and screen; prewritten scripts can be explained on and documentation workflow
camera; provide video URL and Word flowcharts
Student discussions Students report showing code, execution and Informal secondary context, not
results; reports of flowchart-count inconsistencies authoritative assessment text
Original content in this Three scripts, sample dataset, flowcharts, tests, Educational examples that must be
guide narration and extension ideas remapped to the live assessment
D796 PA Preparation Guide | 2
, WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY / D796 STUDY RESOURCE
1.1 Intended learning outcomes
Navigate paths safely and distinguish absolute and relative paths.
Create and manage directories and files using GNU/Linux commands.
Explain permission modes and apply appropriately limited access.
Use Bash variables, positional parameters, validation conditions and loops.
Process text files with AWK and interpret command exit statuses.
Generate compressed archives, checksums and verification records.
Explain a program with an accurate flowchart and repeatable tests.
Record a clear technical demonstration with visible code and verified output.
1.2 Rubric limitation and copyright respect
RQN1 is a student-reported assessment identifier. The exact A-G requirements, required script operations,
exact flowchart number, acceptable file extensions, and grading rules cannot be inferred from course
content alone. The Word diagram file is designed around three examples because three scripts are provided.
Learners should use their own current assessment page when available and revise this practice package
accordingly.
2. Linux environment and essential commands
2.1 Recommended environment
The executable examples target Bash with common GNU utilities on Linux. A learner may use a Linux
distribution of their choice, but the operating system, actual shell used to execute scripts, and tool versions
should be stated accurately. A report of mentor guidance allows any distribution and shell; these specific
scripts still require Bash unless ported.
Area Command Interpretation
Distribution cat /etc/os-release Distribution metadata and identifier
Kernel uname -a Kernel and machine information
Working directory pwd Absolute path to current directory
User whoami Effective username
Current Bash bash --version Bash version, not a generic shell version
Login shell echo "$SHELL" Configured login shell, not proof of current
interpreter
Permissions ls -ld PATH Directory permission flags and ownership
Tool availability command -v awk tar sha256sum Shows whether requisite commands can be
resolved
cat /etc/os-release
uname -a
D796 PA Preparation Guide | 3
, WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY / D796 STUDY RESOURCE
bash --version
pwd
whoami
echo "$SHELL"
command -v awk tar sha256sum
2.2 Core command reference
Command Purpose Example or caution
cd / pwd / ls Change location, print location, Use absolute paths when reproducibility matters.
inspect entries
mkdir -p Create directory tree Existing directories do not cause a failure.
touch / cat Create empty file / display file cat > file overwrites, cat >> file appends.
content
cp / mv Copy or move a file Quote variable paths; check before overwriting.
find Locate files in a directory tree Selection may include unintended files without
filters.
chmod Change permissions 700 on directories; 600 on sample private files.
grep / awk Search or process text This project uses AWK field-based classification.
tar Archive a directory tree tar -czf creates a gzip-compressed archive.
sha256sum Compute / verify a checksum Detects changes, not a substitute for signatures.
echo / printf Print text printf is preferable for predictable formatted
output.
set -euo pipefail Detect common script failures Not a substitute for explicit conditional checks.
exit status $? is last command status 0 indicates success by convention; nonzero means
failure.
2.3 File permissions in context
Unix-style file permissions grant read (r), write (w), and execute (x) access to owner, group, and other users.
For directories, x permits traversal/search. The practice project uses mode 700 for private directories and
mode 600 for generated private records. Permission changes to an existing workspace should not be applied
casually in shared or production locations.
2.4 Shell input, output and variables
workspace="${1:-$HOME/d796_practice}"
printf "Workspace: %s\n" "$workspace"
command > report.txt # replace report
command >> report.txt # append to report
command 2> errors.txt # redirect standard error
D796 PA Preparation Guide | 4
