Is Bash a Programming Language?

5 min readNov 22, 2024

If you’ve been in the tech domain, or have spent some time in the world of Linux and system administration, you’ve probably heard about Bash. It keeps showing up. But a question that comes up surprisingly often is: Is Bash actually a programming language?

In this article, I plan to break down what Bash is, and tackle the big question of whether we should call it a programming language.

What Exactly is Bash?

Bash stands for “Bourne Again Shell.” In simple terms, a shell is an interface that allows you to give tasks to your computer. Bash is one of these interfaces, and I have written about it in a previous article. Other shells include the Zsh, Fish, etc, which do not cover the scope of this article.

Think of Bash as a translator between you and your computer. The commands you give to your computer will be in text form, but Bash translates them into machine language for the computer to perform tasks like copying files, creating directories, starting a program or even shutting down the system. It sounds simple, but Bash is incredibly powerful, which is why it is still one of the most widely used shells in the world of Linux.

Bash is commonly found on Linux and macOS, and it helps you control your computer directly by typing commands instead of clicking through menus and folders like a non-technical person.

Bash as a Scripting Language

Here’s where it gets interesting.

Bash has positioned itself to be more than just a command interface. It is also a Scripting language. This means you can type out a series of commands called script and run them all at once. Imagine if you could:

Rename hundreds of files with one command
Move the files to specific folders instantly
Schedule recurring monthly backups without lifting a finger

All of these tasks are easy to do with Bash scripts, saving you hours of repetitive task.

What Makes a Programming Language?

To answer if Bash is a programming language, we first need to know what makes a programming language. A programming language usually has:

Variables: To store and reuse information.
Loops: You can repeat tasks without typing the same command over and over.
Conditionals — You can set rules to decide when certain actions should happen.
Functions — You can create reusable pieces of code.

Does Bash have these? Yes, it does. You can create variables, loops, conditionals, and functions in Bash. So, it ticks the boxes of what most programming languages do.

So… Bash is a Programming Language?

Now we are at the heart of it.

It’s a good question, and the answer depends a bit on how you look at it.

Let’s put it this way:

Bash has variables, loops, conditionals, and functions — all the things you find in programming languages like Python or JavaScript. You can write code that makes decisions, repeats actions, and interacts with data. Because of these features, Bash has what it takes to be considered a programming language.

But here’s where it differs:

Scripting languages are mainly used for automating tasks, rather than building complex applications. Bash, was not designed to create software like games, social media platforms, or web apps. Instead, it was made to automate commands in the shell, which is closely tied to your computer’s operating system.

You could think of Bash as a specialized language for controlling your computer, rather than a general-purpose programming language like Python or Java. General Purpose Programming Languages are used to build software that operates more independently of the Operating system. If you are trying to write software with lots of features, other programming languages will give you more tools and options.

Why People Are Split on This Question

The tech world doesn’t have a hard-and-fast rule on what counts as a “real” programming language. That is why the question of whether Bash is a programming language can spark some debate. Here’s why people disagree:

Purpose and Scope: Programming languages like Python and C++ are designed to handle complex tasks and create entire applications, while Bash is specialized for simpler tasks and system automation.
Ease of Use: Bash can feel limited if you’re used to programming languages with more flexibility. But if you’re focused on managing files, executing commands, or automating repetitive tasks, Bash is a perfect fit.
Level of Abstraction: Bash works at a lower level compared to many programming languages. It is closely tied to the operating system and directly interacts with files, processes, and commands in a way higher-level languages usually don’t.

So, while Bash has the main features of a programming language, it doesn’t offer the same capabilities as languages like JavaScript or Python. Ultimately, it is more about what you’re trying to accomplish.

Final Answer?

Whether Bash is considered a programming language depends on your perspective. If you need a tool to automate tasks, handle repetitive work, monitor network activity, manage servers, or interact with your system, then yes, Bash functions like a programming language. While it was not designed to build apps or complex software, it excels at what it was made to do. You can use Bash to trigger Python scripts, manage databases, or interact with web APIs.

However, if your goal is to create web applications, games, or machine learning models, Bash isn’t the right choice. It wasn’t built for these tasks, and other programming languages are better suited for them.

Ultimately, what matters is how you use Bash. It’s a powerful tool, whether you label it as a scripting language, a programming language, or a command-line tool. Focus on its capabilities and let it help you work more efficiently.