Bash vs Python on Raspberry Pi: When to Use One or the Other

You’re not the only one confused about whether to use Bash or Python for Raspberry Pi projects. I’m a developer and penetration tester, and almost every day, new pentesters ask me which is better for a specific task. So, in this article, let me clear that up once and for all.

Bash and Python can be used together or for different tasks on the Raspberry Pi. Bash is great for system automation and setting up cron jobs. Python, on the other hand, is better suited for things like working with GPIO pins and sensors and writing more complex logic.

In this article, I’ll give you a quick background on each language and show you the types of projects where each one shines. Even if you’ve been using the Raspberry Pi for a while, you might discover that there’s a more efficient or convenient language for certain tasks

If you’re like me and sometimes mix up syntax between programming languages, I’ve got just the thing for you. I’ve put together a Python cheat sheet with all the essential syntax in one place, so you can keep it handy and avoid any confusion. Download it here for free!

What Is Bash and Why Use It?

The go-to tool for automating tasks and managing your Raspberry Pi system.

Before we dive into anything, it’s best that you first have a good understanding of Bash. When I first heard of Bash, I thought of it like any other full-blown programming language. Here I am talking about the likes of C, C++, Java, and even Python. But that’s not the case.

Bash is a UNIX shell and a scripting language. In simple terms, it is a language used to interact with the operating system and automate some tasks. Let me break this down:

• Unix shell: When you open the Linux terminal and type commands like ls to list files or cd to change directories, you are using the shell. Bash is one of the most popular Linux shells, including the Raspberry Pi.
  
  If you are wondering, yes, there are other Linux shells. These include zsh (Z Shell), ksh (Korn Shell), csh (C Shell), and fish (Friendly Interactive SHell). Bash became the default shell in most Linux distributions (including Raspberry Pi OS) because it’s more user-friendly than older shells like sh, but more standard than alternatives like zsh or fish.
• Scripting Language: What makes Bash a scripting language is its ability to read commands written in a file and perform a specific task. For example, you can write a script to perform backups in your Raspberry Pi, system updates, and much more.

Let’s see what Bash looks like in normal day use.

To update your Raspberry Pi OS, you need to run the commands below:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Alternatively, you can combine them using the double ampersand symbol as shown below:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

You can also use Bash to install applications on your system. For example, the command below installs a VLC media player on your Raspberry Pi:

sudo apt install vlc

Since Bash supports basic programming features like loops, variables, and conditionals, it can also be used to solve complex tasks. For example, the script below reads all text (.txt) files in a directory and puts their content together in a single file called combined.txt.

!/bin/bash
output="combined.txt"
echo "Combining text files into $output…"
for file in *.txt
do
   echo "Adding $file"
   cat "$file" >> "$output"
   echo -e "\n" >> "$output"
done
echo "Done!"

If you want to become a pro in Bash, you should get yourself the Master Linux Commands eBook. Here, you will not only learn how to run the general Linux commands, but you will also learn bash scripting, which not many people, including pro developers, are well versed with.

What Is Python and Why Use It?

A beginner-friendly language perfect for hardware projects, apps, and more on the Raspberry Pi.

Python is a beginner-friendly programming language that works great on the Raspberry Pi. It reads almost like plain English. It’s the “official” language of Raspberry Pi, chosen by the Raspberry Pi Foundation because it’s perfect for teaching coding and working with hardware.

Unlike Bash, Python can be used to build complex apps and software. Instagram, Spotify, and Dropbox are among the top apps built with Python.

Let’s have a look at Python code and what it looks like. The script below runs a loop that prints a message five times:

for i in range(1, 6):
    print(f"Tip #{i} from RaspberryTips.com")

The script below is sourced from our article on getting started with PyQT (PyQt5/PyQt6) on the Raspberry Pi. It is a simple code that generates a window using the PyGT Python library.

from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow
import sys
app = QApplication([])
win = QMainWindow()
win.show()
sys.exit(app.exec_())

There is something to note with the code above. While Bash is perfect for scripts and system tasks, it doesn’t have built-in support for creating graphical windows. Python, however, can easily create windows, buttons, and interactive apps using libraries like PyQt.

Master Python on Raspberry Pi is an eBook we developed to help you become a pro in Python for Raspberry Pi. Here, you will not learn the general Python language, instead, this resource skips the basics and dives straight into the kind of Python skills you’ll use on a Raspberry Pi, like working with hardware, building tools, and automating tasks.

Key Differences Between Bash and Python on Raspberry Pi

	Bash	Python
Basis	Replacement for the sh Unix shell.	Based on object-oriented programming languages.
Purpose	Interpret user commands and automate tasks.	Application and web development, automation.
Syntax	Minimal but sometimes cryptic.	Clear and readable.
Use case	Task automation, system setup.	Hardware control, complex logic.
Simplicity	Simply runs the same commands as you would enter in the terminal.	Can use objects and libraries to create complicated code.
Availability	Installed by default on Linux, nothing to download.	May or may not be installed, and some programs rely on third-party libraries.

System Compatibility

When you talk of Bash, most people think it’s only available for Linux. But that’s not true. Bash is also available for UNIX, BSD, macOS, and Windows users who have installed Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

If you have been using the Raspberry Pi for a while now, you will notice that nearly all operating systems you can install on this card-sized device are Linux-based. We have an article that lists the 15 best operating systems to install on the Raspberry Pi, and they are all Linux-based. That means, from the word go, you will be interacting with bash on your Raspberry Pi.

When you look at Python, things are somehow different. The default OS for the Raspberry Pi comes pre-installed with Python 3 and even some Python IDEs like Thonny where you can write your Python code.

The only drawback with Python on the Raspberry Pi is that you will always need to install additional packages when working on projects, especially those that involve using GPIO pins and sensors.

Thanks to Python’s huge community and clear documentation, installing many of these extras is quick and easy, however, there are others that you will need to go through the hectic process of getting the code from GitHub and setting it up on your system.

Performance and Resource Considerations

I have been using Bash for over 8 years now, and I can confidently tell you that Bash is extremely lightweight. And not only about running simple commands to update the system, copy files, and install some applications, I am talking about using Bash with other programming languages to perform various tasks.

Bash is lightweight predominately because it runs directly in the shell and uses very little memory or CPU. It doesn’t need to load any interpreters or external libraries. It simply processes one command at a time, directly interacting with the system.

Python, on the other hand, when you compare it to Bash, is a bit heavier. One, Python makes use of an interpreter that translates the Python code into something the machine can read. Additionally, depending on the project you are working on, Python relies on external libraries, which can increase resource usage.

That said, Python runs smoothly on all Raspberry Pi models, including the older ones like the Raspberry Pi Zero or Raspberry Pi 2. However, if you’re using a lower-end Raspberry Pi and you are working on a complex project, here are a few tips to keep Python running efficiently:

• Avoid using heavy libraries unless necessary.
• Stick to lightweight editors like Thonny or Nano.
• Break up complex scripts into smaller modules.
• Run your code using Python 3 instead of Python 2 (it’s faster and more efficient).
• Disable GUI if you don’t need it—use headless mode.

Learning Curve and Community Support

If you have ever sat down and looked at most Bash eBooks, I am sure there are situations where you thought you were looking at some “alien scripture.” From my experience, if you are working with Bash, just executing the normal commands to copy files, install programs, and update/ upgrade the system, everything looks so easy.

However, getting deeper into Bash scripting can initially seem intimidating. Let’s look at a simple Bash script.

#!/bin/bash

for file in *.log; do
    if [[ -s "$file" ]]; then
        gzip "$file" && echo "Compressed: $file"
    else
        echo "Skipping empty file: $file"
        rm "$file"
    fi
done

If you are a beginner, I am sure this code is hard to understand. But in simple terms, it loops through all .log files, compresses the ones with content, and deletes the empty ones.

But one thing about Bash is that the community is huge. You will always find solutions online in various forums. Those include developer forums, IoT forums, and cybersecurity forums. If you ever come across an issue, trust me, somebody knows a solution or a better alternative.

When you look at Python, things are a little bit different. I’ve used languages like Java, C, and C++, and none of them are as easy to understand as Python. Its simple, readable syntax feels almost like writing in plain English.

We even did an article comparing Python vs C++ on the Raspberry Pi, and although both languages are good and capable, Python seemed to be more beginner-friendly.

Let’s have a look at the code below.

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
GPIO.setup(18, GPIO.OUT)

for i in range(5):
    print("Turning LED on")
    GPIO.output(18, GPIO.HIGH)
    time.sleep(1)
    print("Turning LED off")
    GPIO.output(18, GPIO.LOW)
    time.sleep(1)

GPIO.cleanup()

Even if you have never used Python before, you can easily deduce what could be going on by looking at those statements. It’s a code to blink GPIO pin 18. We have an article covering the blinking LED project using C++.

Python is also widely taught in schools and online, and there’s a huge amount of documentation, especially for Raspberry Pi projects. The Raspberry Pi Foundation itself leans heavily toward Python in its official tutorials.

If you have also been reading the many articles on this website, most of them use Python. We actually have an article listing 15 projects that you can experiment with Python, and I highly suggest you have a quick look at it.

If you want to become a Raspberry Pi guru, you will need to know your way around Python. However, most guides that you will find here only talk about Python as a general programming language. But with our eBook Master Python on Raspberry Pi, you’ll learn the essentials, step-by-step, without wasting time understanding useless concepts.

Common Use Cases for Each Language

Now that you have a clear picture of the two languages, let us look at the common use cases.

Typical Projects Where Bash Works Best

Earlier, I told you that Bash runs directly in the shell and interacts with the operating system. Therefore, Bash shines when you’re dealing with system-level tasks on your Raspberry Pi. It’s perfect for automating software updates, backups, or regular cleanups.

If you need to manage files, monitor logs, or schedule jobs with cron, Bash is your go-to tool. A good example is when you have a program that you want to autostart anytime you boot the Raspberry Pi. Bash would be the perfect tool for that.

It’s also great for writing one-liner commands or glue scripts that connect different programs. For example, you can use it to resize images that are captured by the camera module:
for img in *.jpg; do convert "$img" -resize 800x600 "resized/$img"; done

Note: Want to write your first Bash script, including variables and conditions? I have a video lesson on this topic just for community members. Join here to watch, and get access to 30+ other lessons for Raspberry Pi along with many other benefits!

Typical Projects Where Python Works Best

For Bash, I have told you it’s best for system-level tasks. Now, when you are working with real-world Raspberry Pi projects that make use of sensors, LEDs, motors, or any hardware components, you will need to use Python.

Python has a wide range of libraries that make it easy to interface with hardware components you might use in your Raspberry Pi projects. And here I am talking about powerful libraries for GPIO, I2C, and SPI.

It’s also great for building applications where you interact with APIs. Let’s say you are building a smart mirror/ magic mirror that will display the current weather, time, and maybe the current price of Bitcoin. With such a project, you will need to hit various APIs, and Python is the best for the job.

There are also situations where you might need to create a user interface for your project. With Python, you have several options. You can create your interface using the PyQt library, or you can connect your app to the web and build your interface to be accessible on a browser.

If you’re working on projects like image processing with a camera module, basic machine learning, or logging data over time, Python offers the tools to do it efficiently. We have articles on installing the NumPy library and the TensorFlow framework for training AI models on the Raspberry Pi.

Which Language Should You Use?

The truth is, you don’t have to pick just one. Bash and Python are both powerful in their ways. And when you are working with the Raspberry Pi, these languages often work best when used together.

If you’re working on system-level tasks, like automating updates, cleaning up files, or scheduling jobs with cron, Bash is your friend. It’s fast, lightweight, and already baked into every Pi OS.

But when you’re building something more complex, such as a sensor-based project, a web API, or a data logger, Python is usually the better choice. It comes with more libraries, offers better hardware support, and makes it easier to scale your project as it grows.

Now that you have a clear understanding of both Python and Bash on the Raspberry Pi, you’re better equipped to choose the right tool for the job. If you’re ready to dive deeper, we have plenty of tutorials where we use Python and even more where Python and Bash work hand in hand. Explore them, experiment, and level up your Raspberry Pi skills.

Whenever you’re ready, here are other ways I can help you:

Test Your Raspberry Pi Level (Free): Not sure why everything takes so long on your Raspberry Pi? Take this free 3-minute assessment and see what’s causing the problems.

The RaspberryTips Community: Need help or want to discuss your Raspberry Pi projects with others who actually get it? Join the RaspberryTips Community and get access to private forums, exclusive lessons, and direct help.

Master your Raspberry Pi in 30 days: If you are looking for the best tips to become an expert on Raspberry Pi, this book is for you. Learn useful Linux skills and practice multiple projects with step-by-step guides.

Master Python on Raspberry Pi: Create, understand, and improve any Python script for your Raspberry Pi. Learn the essentials step-by-step without losing time understanding useless concepts.

You can also find all my recommendations for tools and hardware on this page.