Can `+=` add different data types?

In Bash, the short answer is yes, but there is a catch: Bash treats almost everything as a string.

Unlike languages like Java or C++ that are very strict about types, Bash is "weakly typed." This means you can mix numbers and words in the same array using +=.

Example:

You can do this in your script:

MIXED_ARRAY=()
MIXED_ARRAY+=(1)         # Adding a number
MIXED_ARRAY+=("Apple")   # Adding a string

The array will now hold 1 and Apple with no problem.

The "Catch":

Even though you can mix them, Bash will essentially treat the number 1 as the character "1".

• If you try to add them mathematically (like 1 + 1), Bash will treat them as numbers.
• If you try to print them, Bash treats them as text.

Summary for your Lab:

• Can you put a name in your NUMBERS array? Yes.
• Can you put a number in your STRINGS array? Yes.

However, it is a best practice to keep them separate (like the Lab instructions suggest) so that your code is easy for others (and you!) to read and understand later.

Give it a try in your arrays.sh file if you want to see it in action!