Bash vs zsh : Which is Better?

Bash icon

Bash

Bash is a Unix shell and command language written by Brian Fox for the GNU Project as a free software replacement for the Bourne shell.

License: Open Source

Categories: Development OS & Utilities

Apps available for Linux BSD

VS
VS
zsh icon

zsh

The Z shell (zsh) is a Unix shell that can be used as an interactive login shell and as a powerful command interpreter for shell scripting.

License: Open Source

Categories: OS & Utilities

Apps available for Linux BSD

Bash VS zsh

Bash is widely used and offers a simple, POSIX-compliant shell experience, making it great for scripting and general use. Zsh, on the other hand, provides advanced features, better customization, and is more suited for interactive use, especially for power users.

Bash

Pros:

  • Widely used and available on most UNIX-like systems
  • Simple syntax and commands
  • Extensive documentation and community support
  • Support for POSIX compliance
  • Good performance for scripting tasks

Cons:

  • Limited feature set compared to more advanced shells
  • Less user-friendly for beginners
  • Less customization options than zsh

zsh

Pros:

  • Advanced features like globbing and programmable completion
  • Improved customization options with themes and plugins
  • Better support for interactive use
  • Enhanced features for command history and navigation
  • Powerful prompt customization capabilities

Cons:

  • Can be slower for certain scripts compared to bash
  • More complex syntax can be intimidating for new users
  • Less compatibility with some legacy scripts

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