Definition
Bash is a command interpreter and scripting language widely used on Linux and other Unix-like systems. It launches processes and automates repeated administration tasks.
How it works
Bash scripts combine commands, variables, conditions, loops and functions. Quoting protects arguments that contain spaces; command exit codes report success or failure. Shell expansion and substitution can significantly alter arguments.
Real-world example
A log-auditing script might process multiple hosts or files, extract errors and generate a report. Reliable scripts validate parameters and check the results of critical commands rather than assuming that every step succeeded.
Limits and best practices
Favor readable and repeatable scripts, use shellcheck where available, avoid inserting untrusted data into eval and back up data before destructive operations. Consider a different language for complex structured-data workflows.