# Created on savesnippets.com · https://savesnippets.com/6qoHacAeTXM0Yy
arr=("alice" "bob" "carol")
target="bob"

# Method 1: explicit loop (clearest)
contains() {
    local needle="$1"; shift
    for x in "$@"; do
        [[ "$x" == "$needle" ]] && return 0
    done
    return 1
}

if contains "$target" "${arr[@]}"; then
    echo "yes"
fi

# Method 2: glue + regex (concise but tricky with separators)
[[ " ${arr[*]} " =~ " $target " ]] && echo "yes (regex)"