Quick Answer
The answer is #!/bin/bash. This shebang is required because the script relies on bash-specific features like arrays and process substitution, which are not supported by POSIX-compliant shells like /bin/sh. The shebang line instructs the kernel to invoke the specified interpreter; /bin/bash provides the extended syntax for indexed and associative arrays, as well as process substitution via <( ) and >( ), while /bin/sh typically maps to dash or another minimal shell that will throw syntax errors on these constructs. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this tests your understanding of interpreter selection and script portability—a common trap is assuming /bin/sh is always bash, when in many distributions it is not. Remember the memory tip: if your script uses arrays or process substitution, you need the “bash” in the shebang.
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A Linux administrator writes a script that uses bash-specific features like arrays and process substitution. Which shebang should be used?
#!/bin/bash
Bash supports advanced features like arrays and process substitution.
#!/bin/sh
Why wrong: The /bin/sh shell may be a minimal POSIX shell (like dash) that does not support bash-specific features.
#!/usr/bin/python3
Why wrong: This shebang is for Python scripts, not bash scripts.
#!/bin/ksh
Why wrong: KornShell is a different shell; the script uses bash-specific features.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
#!/bin/bash
The correct shebang is #!/bin/bash because the script uses bash-specific features such as arrays and process substitution. The shebang line tells the system to execute the script with the specified interpreter; /bin/bash is the Bourne Again SHell, which supports these features, while /bin/sh may be a POSIX shell that lacks them.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
#!/bin/bash
Why this is correct
Bash supports advanced features like arrays and process substitution.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
#!/bin/sh
Why it's wrong here
The /bin/sh shell may be a minimal POSIX shell (like dash) that does not support bash-specific features.
#!/usr/bin/python3
Why it's wrong here
This shebang is for Python scripts, not bash scripts.
#!/bin/ksh
Why it's wrong here
KornShell is a different shell; the script uses bash-specific features.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume /bin/sh is always bash or that any shell can run bash-specific syntax, but on many Linux distributions /bin/sh is a different shell (e.g., dash) that lacks these extensions.
Detailed technical explanation
Process substitution (<(command)) is a bash extension that creates a named pipe or /dev/fd entry, allowing output of a command to be used as a file argument; this is not part of POSIX sh. Arrays in bash are also an extension; POSIX sh only supports positional parameters and the special variables $@ and $*. In real-world scenarios, a script with these features run under /bin/sh on systems where sh is dash will produce syntax errors, making the shebang choice critical for portability.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: #!/bin/bash — The correct shebang is #!/bin/bash because the script uses bash-specific features such as arrays and process substitution. The shebang line tells the system to execute the script with the specified interpreter; /bin/bash is the Bourne Again SHell, which supports these features, while /bin/sh may be a POSIX shell that lacks them.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This XK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-005 exam.
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