Scripting and Automation Fundamentals Questions

Focuses on the practical scripting and basic programming skills commonly used to support penetration testing and security automation. Topics include familiarity with languages such as Python and shell scripting, fundamental programming constructs, reading and modifying simple exploit or scan scripts, automating tool workflows and parsing output, invoking system commands, basic regular expressions, error handling and debugging approaches, and designing small, repeatable utilities for reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and reporting. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the ability to write and troubleshoot short scripts and to reason about when automation improves efficiency.