What is difference between `$*` an `$@` in Bash [duplicate]

Question

I always use $@ when I want all arguments of bash function but recently I just found that $* also works in the same way, and it also can use as array index.

My question is What is difference between $* an $@ in Bash? and which one should I prefer?

Answer 1

The Bash manual is quite clear on this topic:

• $*

  All of the positional parameters, seen as a single word.

  Note: $* must be quoted.

• $@

  Same as $*, but each parameter is a quoted string, that is, the parameters are passed on intact, without interpretation or expansion. This means, among other things, that each parameter in the argument list is seen as a separate word.

  Note: Of course, $@ should be quoted.