Throughout this module, you will appreciate the need for scripting in cybersecurity, familiarize yourself with different scripting languages, and develop skills in Python scripting.
Find below the benevolent objectives.
Define a Python library and give examples.
Discuss Python functions vs. methods.
Give syntax of conditions in Python branching.
Describe Python data structures.
State the rules of Python regarding syntax, data types, and strings.
Enumerate benefits of using Python.
Define the purpose and the features of JavaScript, Bash, Perl, PowerShell, binary, and hexadecimal scripting languages.
Define basic scripting concepts such as script, variable, argument, parameter, if statement, and loop.
Trace the history of scripting languages and what they are typically used for today.
SCRIPTING OVERVIEW KNOWLEDGE CHECK
1. Which organization is credited with creating the first scripting language?
Digital Computer Corporation
NIST
University of California at Berkley
IBM Corporation (CORRECT)
2. Which concept of a scripting language helps with repetitive tasks?
Variables
IF statements
Arguments
Loops (CORRECT)
3. Which three (3) of the following are scripting language? (Select 3)
PowerShell (CORRECT)
JCL (CORRECT)
FORTRAN
JavaScript (CORRECT)
4. True or False. JavaScript greatly improved the functionality of webpages.
True (CORRECT)
False
5. Which Scripting language uses 1s and 0s in a two symbol system?
TRAC
Logical
Binary (CORRECT)
base2
PYTHON SCRIPTING KNOWLEDGE CHECK
1. Python can be best described as what?
A high-level scripting language. (CORRECT)
A low-level compiled programming language.
The hottest new scripting language introduced in 2012.
A structured programming language.
2. True or False. Extensive free resources are available on the web to make it relatively easy to learn Python.
True (CORRECT)
False
3. Indentations are used in Python code for which reason?
To indicate a library function is being called.
To define a block of code and are required. (CORRECT)
For readability and are optional.
To define loop nesting and are required.
4. What file type is commonly used to store Python code?
.txt
.python
Any extension is allowed as long as the file only contains ASCII text characters.
.py (CORRECT)
5. In the Python statement
pi=3
What is the data type of the variable pi?
string
float
bool
int (CORRECT)
6. True or False. In the Python statements below Example1=’A’
Example2=”B”
Example1 is a character variable type while Example2 is a string variable type.
True
False (CORRECT)
7. What will be printed by this Python code block?
pi=3
pi3=3*pi
print(pi3)
pi3
333
9 (CORRECT)
3
8. True or False. A tuple in Python is similar to a list but it is an immutable data type so its values cannot be changed after they are first set.
True (CORRECT)
False
9. How many times will a while loop execute in Python?
As long as the specified condition is true. (CORRECT)
Until the end while statement is encountered.
As many times as are specified in the loop counter.
Until the first exit statement is encountered.
10. True or False. Python functions must be purchased or downloaded in libraries from Python development companies. You must have Python SDK in order to develop your own functions.
True
False (CORRECT)
11. Which two (2) of these Python libraries provides useful scientific computing functions? (Select 2)
NumPy (CORRECT)
StatsModels
Matplotlib
Pandas (CORRECT)
Seaborn
Scikit-learn
Partially correct!
INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTING ASSESSMENT
1. What was considered to be the first scripting language?
Perl
Bash
TRAC
JCL (CORRECT)
2. Which concept of a scripting language is a memory address paired with a symbolic name (or identifier) which contains a value?
Arguments
IF statements
Loops
Variables (CORRECT)
3. Which three (3) of the following are scripting languages? (Select 3)
Bash (CORRECT)
Perl (CORRECT)
C++
Hex (CORRECT)
Partially correct!
4. Which Scripting language is a task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft?
JCL
JavaScript
Perl
PowerShell (CORRECT)
5. Which is an example of how scripts are commonly used today?
Autocorrection
Word processing
Task automation (CORRECT)
Transcription
6. What scripting concept is widely used across different languages to process a set of instructions over and over again until a specified condition is met?
Arguments
If-then
Loops (CORRECT)
Variables
7. Bash is a scripting language developed for use with which operating system?
Linux
UNIX (CORRECT)
Mac OS X
Windows
8. Which Python command would print out “Hello World”?
print(Hello World)
print(“Hello World”) (CORRECT)
type(“Hello World”)
output(0,”Hello World”)
9. Why does Python often takes fewer lines of code to accomplish a task than C or Java?
Python can utilize extensive function libraries. (CORRECT)
In Python you can embed multiple steps within a single command.
Python generally takes more lines of code than C or Java to accomplish the same task.
Python code is more efficient than C or Java code.
10. How many spaces must be used to indent a block of code in Python?
Any number 1 or more as long as the same indentation is used within a code block. (CORRECT)
Multiples of 3.
Any number 1 or more as long as the same indentation is used throughout the program.
Indentation is binary, i.e. a line is either indented or it is not, so there is no restriction to how many spaces are used on any line of indented code.
11. What will Python do when it encounters the hash character “#”?
Treat everything to the right of the hash on the current line as a comment. (CORRECT)
Treat everything between that hash and the next hash encountered in the program as a comment.
Hash is used as a wildcard character in Python.
Call in the referenced library function the follows the hash.
12. What will be printed by this Python code block?
pi=3.14159
pi=int(pi)
print(pi)
3 (CORRECT)
3.14159
pi=3.14159
pi
13. True or False. In the Python statements below
Example1=”3″
Example1 is a string variable type.
True (CORRECT)
False
14. What will be printed by this Python code block?pi=”3″
pi3=3*pi
print(pi3)
333 (CORRECT)
9
3
pi3
15. How many times will the following Python for loop be executed assuming UNMembers is a list of the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly?
for country in UNMembers:
print(country)
0
1
193 (CORRECT)
Until it reaches a specified country
16. What is one good reason to write your own function in Python?
Reports
Charts (Correct)
Graphs (Correct)
Maps (Correct)
Correct: Data visualization utilizes tools like graphs, maps, and charts.
17. Which two (2) of these Python libraries provide useful graphics and visualization functions? (Select 2)
Pandas
Seaborn (CORRECT)
Scikit-learn
StatsModels
NumPy
Matplotlib (CORRECT)
Partially correct!
CONCLUSION – Introduction to Scripting
Summing up this module, its content encapsulated the importance of scripting in cybersecurity with an overview of various scripting languages and an introduction to the basics of Python scripting.
With such knowledge, you would be able to apply scripting to boost your security responses and address cyber threats more efficiently.