Bash, short for "Bourne Again SHell," is a command-line interface and scripting language used in many Unix-like operating systems. It allows users to interact with the system by typing commands, which the shell interprets and executes. Bash is widely used for automating tasks, managing files, and running programs. Developed by Brian Fox in 1987, Bash is an enhanced version of the original Bourne Shell created by Stephen Bourne. It includes features like command history, job control, and improved scripting capabilities, making it a popular choice among developers and system administrators for both interactive and batch processing tasks.