Bash
The Linux command line
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read 6 chapters Programming language
Created
1989 by Brian Fox at GNU
Type
Command-line shell + scripting language
Runs on
Linux, macOS, WSL (Windows)
Default shell
Most Linux distros, macOS
Key feature
Pipes, text processing, automation
Used for
DevOps, server admin, automation scripts
File extension
.sh
Best for
Linux administration, automation, DevOps
What is Bash?
Bash is the default command-line shell on Linux and macOS. Every Linux server runs Bash. If you work with servers, containers, or DevOps, Bash is essential.
Why Bash?
Every server runs Bash. CI/CD pipelines, Docker build scripts, cron jobs, and system administration all use Bash. It's the glue that holds infrastructure together.
| Feature | Bash | Python | PowerShell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Every Linux/macOS | Needs install | Windows only |
| Speed (text processing) | Very fast | Medium | Slow |
| Learning curve | Easy | Easy | Hard |
| Best for | Server admin, scripting | Complex automation | Windows admin |
What you'll learn
| Chapter | What you'll know |
|---|---|
| Introduction | What Bash is, how to use it |
| Commands | File, text, permissions |
| Scripting | Variables, loops, functions |
| Advanced | Pipes, cron, debugging |
Start with introduction.