Knowing which type of programming language to use when automating a task is based upon a programmers knowledge base and experience. In other word, knowing which is the "'''best tool for the task'''". Should the program is be '''compiled''' (like C, C++, etc) for efficient operation? Should program be '''interpreted''' (eg. Shell Script, Perl Script, JavaScript) for ease of programming? Many factors are involved here, but '''shell scripting is definitely an easy way for the administrator to automate routine tasks'''... I will only be discussing Shell Scripting in the WIKI, although, you can access by webpage to learn other programming languages (like C - Course: IPC144)...