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About

Version of Bash

Variable

The version information can be found in the following shell variable

BASH_VERSION

Expands to a string describing the version of this instance of bash.

echo ${BASH_VERSION}
4.3.46(1)-release

BASH_VERSINFO

A readonly array variable whose members hold version information for this instance of bash. The values assigned to the array members are as follows:

  • BASH_VERSINFO[0] The major version number (the release).
  • BASH_VERSINFO[1] The minor version number (the version).
  • BASH_VERSINFO[2] The patch level.
  • BASH_VERSINFO[3] The build version.
  • BASH_VERSINFO[4] The release status (e.g., beta1).
  • BASH_VERSINFO[5] The value of MACHTYPE.

Example

  • The major version number (the release).
echo ${BASH_VERSINFO[0]}
4

  • The minor version number (the version).
echo ${BASH_VERSINFO[1]}
3

  • The patch level
echo ${BASH_VERSINFO[2]}
46

  • The build version
echo ${BASH_VERSINFO[3]}
1

  • The release status (e.g., beta1)
echo ${BASH_VERSINFO[4]}
release

  • The value of MACHTYPE
echo ${BASH_VERSINFO[5]}
x86_64-pc-linux-gnu

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