It is.
Yes. The only time it is not an official "At Bat", is if a batter reaches base on a base on balls, hit by pitch or catcher interference. A batter is also not charged with an "At Bat" if he hits a sacrifice fly (a fly ball out that results in a runner tagging up and scoring), or a sacrifice bunt that advances a runner or runners. He is also not charged with an "At Bat" if the batter reaches base as a result of an error on a sacrifice fly or sacrifice bunt.
A single.
To bunt in softball, you square your body to the pitcher. Once the pitcher releases the bal you try to hit it within 3-4 feet in front of you. Sometimes players bunt the ball to try to get on base. This is called bunting for a hit. Most other times bunting is used to move other runners over to the next base. This is called a sacrifice bunt. If the batter is called out, the at bat is not counted in their batting average. It is counted as a "SAC." A suicide squeeze is another way that the bunt is used. On the release of the pitch the runner at third base runs as if they are stealing the base. The runner at third base is trying to cross the plate before they are tagged out. This is also counted as a SAC if the batter is called out.
A sacrifice bunt.
A batter can bunt anytime ...whether it's wise to bunt is a different story.
Generally, the term means that a base runner is trying to steala base without the help of the batter swinging or faking a bunt.
That decisionis left up to the person who is the 'official scorer' for the game. If the batter turns and shows bunt before the pitcher throws he usually is credited with a sacrifice whether an error is committed or not. But if the official scorer thinks that the batter was trying for a base hit and not for a sacrifice he may score it solely as an error.
When a batter gives himself up to move a runner from one base to the next. Technically it is supposed to be an intentional act, but the official scorekeepers generally give the batter the benefit of any doubt.
Yes, a batter can show bunt and then pull back and swing. It is fairly common.
NO. A runner cannot advance on a foul ball that is not "played" (i.e. if a foul fly ball is CAUGHT, the runner may tag up). A foul bunt on a 2 strike count is a dead ball out.
It's still considered a hit-by-pitch.
A bunt hit is scored as a single.