Question: how to hash passwords for admin scripts

[Phillip Corchary]

question: Is there a way to NOT use clear-text passwords for automated bash scripts that use mysql (client) or mysqladmin.

Since they would be automated (and thus non-interactive), they can't be typed at the prompt. I could just type the password into the script, but that is clear-text. I know the can be in hidden my.cnf, but still it is clear-text. Anyway to hash them or otherwise protect?

I would think this would be such a common problem/need/question, but so far I have come up completely empty-handed searching for an answer.