Shell scripting involves writing scripts using bash commands. Key elements include:
1) Variables to store and manipulate data. Variables can hold strings or numbers.
2) Control structures like if/else, case, and loops (for, while, until) to make decisions and repeat tasks.
3) Functions to organize code into reusable blocks.
4) Reading/writing files for input/output.
5) Trapping signals like interrupts to handle errors gracefully.