Zsh vs bash vs sh. Let’s dive in! What Is a Shell? A shell is more .

Zsh vs bash vs sh The most common command shell is Bash, but there are other options available and widely used, such as the Z Shell or zsh. You can read the original post here. Just recently a colleague told me he's using starship. The Zsh documentation is pretty nice Dec 27, 2023 · For experienced Linux users, choosing the right shell is an important decision. Zsh Dec 16, 2024 · Hopefully by outlining the background, pros and cons, feature comparisons, and key differentiators between Bash vs Zsh vs Fish – this guide has helped identify the best shell fit for your particular requirements as a beginner or advancing developer. The changes they made do make for a cleaner language, but it's a new language nonetheless. While both the shells are perfect for regular use, when you want to move into more specific use cases, both the shells perform differently because of the default features. But here’s the deal—if you’re doing any real terminal work on macOS, it’s worth knowing why that switch happened and whether you should care. . But you also need to consider that the behavior of sh scripts will change when Apple replaces the sh interpreter. Apr 4, 2024 · Infrastructure / Automation / PythonI’ve used ZSH as my interactive shell for almost 10 years now. My age is showing. This means that most of your Bash scripts and command history should work in Zsh. / en / versus / bash-vs-zsh BASH vs ZSH Both are powerful command-line shells used primarily on Unix-like operating systems (Linux, macOS). Jan 1, 2021 · @BenCheshire sh must behave the same for all systems adhering to POSIX/the Unix standard. At first I thought it's just another terminal, but turns out it's a customisation prompt like omz. Once upon a long time ago, Mac OS X used tcsh by default, but it now uses bash by default, and includes zsh along with most common shells. So as long as you use #!/bin/sh the script should work on all Unix systems. Below, we will explore the differences between Bash and these other shells. Bash is supposed to (but doesn't always) behave in sh-compatibility mode if invoked as /bin/sh. ZSH vs Bash: Why many switch from Bash to ZSH The Bash shell is arguably the default shell for most UNIX operating systems; it is a user-friendly, robust technology that is standard on Linux distros such as Ubuntu or Arch. The Apr 3, 2023 · Zsh, or the Z Shell, is an extended version of the Bourne Shell that incorporates features from Bash, KornShell, and tcsh. With zsh, I am working (with nearly) a superset of bash. This guide compares Zsh vs Bash, helping to make an informed choice. ZSH has been a trusty companion, and we’ve done quite a bit of campaigning together. Basic Features of Bash and Zsh Jul 8, 2024 · The most prevalent shell in this regard is Bash but there are other variants available and used widely as well, like Zsh or the Z shell. Jan 20, 2022 · The reason is that more "modern" shells like zsh and bash (yes, it's more modern than sh) contain features, which other shells do not include. Nov 30, 2022 · Zsh vs Bash Let’s now look at the comparison between ZSH vs BASH for your command-line. why use fish As a default bash user who want to switch from bash why should i use fish instead of zsh ? I was told fish and bash have diffrent syntax but learned that even bash and sh syntax are not all same and people recomends using dash instead of bash . This article will look at Bash vs This article dives into the differences between Bash and Zsh, comparing their features, scripting capabilities, performance, and customization options to help users choose the right shell for their needs in 2025. /bin/sh on Linux is actually bash, but if you're aiming for cross-platform scripts, you're better off sticking to features of the original Bourne shell or writing it in something like perl. This is done by injecting arguments and/or environment variables when the shell session launches. Other than that, there are not many different from bash as interactive shell. Commands are organized alphabetically with notes on key differences. Mar 29, 2025 · Bash vs Zsh vs Fish: Learn the key differences between the top Linux shells in 2025. Dec 22, 2022 · Bash Shell: Bash or Bourne Again Shell is the identical similar shell to Bourne or . Ideal for programmers Feb 19, 2023 · Learn about the differences between Zsh and Bash shells, and when to choose one over the other in this detailed comparison guide. Over the years, zsh has gained a reputation for being one of the most powerful and versatile shells available, combining rich scripting features with a robust interactive experience. They are very similar. Bash: The Important Differences Explore the nuances of zsh vs bash in this comprehensive guide. Discover their unique features, customization options, scripting capabilities, and user preferences. Unravel their unique features and learn how to choose the right shell for your tasks. Explore the nuanced differences in our dash vs bash guide. The only reason I don't use zsh for scripting is because there's a possibility of sharing my scripts to others and something like sh or bash is more ubiquitous and therefore plug-and-play. At Jan 11, 2025 · Both Bash and Zsh are Unix shells designed to make these interactions efficient and intuitive. What are your reasons for using zsh or sticking with bash? Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Top New Controversial Old Q&A [deleted] • May 6, 2020 · When I set up my Windows computer, I had the chance to take another look at the shell I'm using. Read Full Article: Bash vs Zsh [The Ultimate Comparison] https://linuxsimply. Jan 13, 2021 · Bash and Zsh are two popular Linux shells. Apr 26, 2025 · The latest macOS systems comes with Z Shell (Zsh) as default shell, but who still preferred to use bash can still use it by switching the default shell. Fish is much easier to setup, but the incompatibilities with bash discourage me from learning. I usually use bash, but I don't know what's the difference between them. Aug 22, 2024 · In this post, we will explore the differences between bash, csh, dash, ksh, sh, tcsh, and zsh, focusing on their syntax, features, and typical use cases. Both shells allow users to run commands, write scripts, and interact with the operating system efficiently. Jun 25, 2019 · Bash vs Z shell: A Tale of Two Command Line Shells Recently, Apple announced that as of the next version of macOS, Catalina, they will be adopting zsh as their default shell in replacement of bash … May 18, 2025 · The command-line shell is an essential tool for interacting with the operating system, allowing users to execute commands, automate tasks, and run scripts efficiently. First: the shell is an interface between the user and operating system services. It was designed to be a more feature-rich and user-friendly alternative to the Bourne shell (sh), which was the default shell on many Unix-like systems at the time. Mar 24, 2024 · zsh for interactive use, because I like a few of it's extra features vs bash (cd -<tab>, cd this that) and I haven't bothered with fish yet. ohmyzsh 🙃 A delightful community-driven (with 2,400+ contributors) framework for managing your zsh configuration. Mar 3, 2017 · Most Linux distributions include the bash shell by default, but you could also switch to another shell environment. Since its original release on June 8, 1989, Bash has become the de facto shell for the Linux OS. Explore the differences between tcsh vs bash and discover which shell suits your style. Bash While bash is the most widely available shell across Unix-like systems, zsh offers more modern features for interactive use. Plus, you'll learn if being POSIX-compliant actually matters Jan 9, 2024 · Zsh is a shell designed for interactive use with enhanced features, while Bash is a widely-used shell known for script compatibility and efficiency. Mar 12, 2024 · Here in this article, we are going to differentiate between the two most popular shells bash and zsh. Sep 1, 2024 · Origins and History Bash Bash traces its roots all the way back to the Bourne shell (sh), created by Stephen Bourne at Bell Labs in 1977. Running either as sh will ensure sh compatibility and turn off any shell-specific functions. The Z Shell (zsh), created in the early 1990s by Paul Falstad, was designed as a highly customizable and extended shell, incorporating the best features of other shells like csh, ksh, and bash. But the most widely used is Bash. 1. The default script-execution shell in some Linux distribution is Debian Almquist shell (dash). What is ZSH? ZSH, also called the Z shell, is an extended version of the Bourne Shell (sh), with new features and support for plugins and themes. Other shells like sh (Bourne Shell), zsh (Z Shell), and ksh (Korn Shell) also exist, each with its own features and capabilities. sh file that use bash in the shebang, right? it will automatically use bash to parse it? or do i need to convert my script to fish equivalent? Apr 26, 2025 · Zsh is largely compatible with Bash as it was designed to incorporate many of the features and commands that Bash users are familiar with. ), C shell (csh, tcsh), Z shell (zsh), and the Friendly Interactive Shell (fish). sh? Spoiler: For me, it’s mainly two reasons. In the case of bash the sequences start with a backslash and in the case of tcsh and zsh a percent sign. This is the reason to make the Bash shell a public domain shell. Zsh offers a plethora of features and customization options that make it a favorite among power users and developers. Zsh offers some advanced functionality Nov 26, 2024 · While Zsh is not completely compatible with Bash, it shares some similar functionalities and features with Bash. Apr 25, 2025 · Starting with macOS Catalina, Apple ditched Bash as the default shell and gave Zsh the crown. Why would I want to use one or the other more than the other personally I have been using default bash but I'm curious abt Zsh ohmyzsh VS oh-my-bash Compare ohmyzsh vs oh-my-bash and see what are their differences. Zsh just has way more features, and IMHO is easier to customize (for functionality and aesthetics) and add plugins to. It’s a popular choice for developers who seek a more customizable and 3 days ago · The more appropriate comparison would be between zsh and bash (both shells), or between Oh My Zsh and other frameworks for bash like bash-it. Discover which is better for scripting, performance, customization, and productivity in your terminal workflow. However, Zsh is considered to be more powerful and feature-rich than Bash, with advanced features like advanced tab completion, spelling correction, and theme customization. Created by the GNU Project. Noteworthy features Mar 1, 2020 · Things to know when differentiating Zsh vs Bash. Fish's scripting language is different than Zsh and Bash. Each shell has its own set of characteristics and benefits, making it suitable for different use cases and user preferences. com/bash-scriptin Supported shells: Linux/macOS: bash, fish, pwsh, zsh Windows: Git Bash, pwsh Installation Automatic script injection By default, the shell integration script should automatically activate on supported shells launched from VS Code. ZSH vs. sh (Bourne Shell) The Bourne Shell (sh) is the original Unix shell Apr 7, 2021 · Zsh Zsh is for people wanting an interesting mix of a good compatibility with Bash and an ecosystem of plugins with a reasonable installation process. One of the main benefits of zsh is its advanced command-line editing capabilities. Zsh has gained popularity due to its modern features and powerful extensions, which make it an appealing choice for users who want more control over their shell environment. Sep 29, 2020 · Bash's syntax is a superset of Bourne. This guide explores their pros and cons to help you determine which is best to use. Shell What's the Difference? Bash and Shell are both command-line interpreters used in Unix-based operating systems to execute commands and scripts. If you want to use zsh, AVOID installing oh-my-zsh. It has specific differences in terms of scripting from Bash, but that doesn’t pose a problem. Zsh in itself is also a compelling scripting language. I believe both have the necessary plugins and themes I need, so it all just comes down to speed. Spelling correction It’s easy to have typos while working exclusively on the shell. Zsh, while mostly compatible with Bash, prioritizes features and user experience over strict POSIX compliance. Bash ( Bourne-Again shell ) Bash, or the Bourne-Again Shell, is by far the most popularly used shell and it comes installed as the default shell in the most popular Linux distributions. Sep 29, 2023 · Explore the differences between Zsh and Bash, two powerful command-line shells. Scripts always use the "#!/bin/bash" or "#!/bin/zsh" to direct the target environment. You can do everything you want with zsh easily without it. The stuff that broke assumed bashisms when they should have been using standard sh. That made it popular for interactive use (but not for scripting). My preferred user shell is zsh. Zsh is designed to be a highly customizable shell with an interactive command-line interface for executing commands, running shell scripts, and performing various system administration tasks. sh in Unix. It also doesn't matter whether /bin/sh is a binary on its own or just linked to bash, zsh etc. Zsh is great, and is even better with oh-my-zsh, but if you have to deal with Linux that may or not have zsh (including legacy ones), and colleagues that may or not know/use zsh, probably sticking with bash is a good choice. When writing shell scripts I don't ever program in either bash or zsh - I program using sh (/bin/sh), because it's the lowest common denominator and the least likely to have compatibility issues. Zsh is more or less a superset of bash If you already know how to use bash, then congratulations, pretty much everything you know from bash still works in zsh. While there are various shell options available, Bash, Zsh, and Fish stand out as the most popular choices, each offering a unique set of features, making it crucial to understand their differences in order to select the right Mar 4, 2022 · Historically, ash is the Almquist Shell. As a somewhat extreme case, I'd strongly advice against running any bash shell script through zsh (which easily happens if you reuse your bash aliases in zsh, or if you copy&paste commands Jul 13, 2019 · I'm looking to switch from bash to zsh but concerned about compatibility of bash scripts. Bash vs. " Bash includes additional features such as command line editing, history, and job control. Actually, the standard shell is Bourne shell (sh). By the end, you’ll see why Fish provides […] Moving to zsh from bash was pretty simple. Which one is faster? starship is written in rust so maybe it has In the commercial Unix side, the Korn shell (the AT&T variant, though more the ksh88 one) is the norm and both bash and zsh are in optional packages. Bash is known for its simplicity, POSIX compliance, and widespread availability across Linux distributions Sep 18, 2023 · Explore key differences & head to head comparison (infographics) between Zsh & Bash. Uncover features, strengths, and tips to master your command line experience. This tutorial will help you for switching between Zsh and Bash on macOS systems. Understanding how shells work sets the foundation for comparing Zsh vs Bash effectively. Discover which shell suits your workflow—scripting, customization, or beginner-friendly use. Let’s dive in! What Is a Shell? A shell is more May 12, 2025 · Zsh is an extended version of the Bourne shell (sh) that was first released in 1990, and it is known for its advanced features, customizability, and strong plugin ecosystem. /bin/sh on macOS is, and probably will remain, a copy of /bin/bash, but executing bash with the name sh causes it to have different behaviour. But two popular alternatives, ZSH and Fish, offer more advanced features and customization. Regarding the syntax, fish can still source . Dec 27, 2023 · Bash preserves tighter compatibility allowing scripts written for sh to run mostly unchanged. Jun 24, 2020 · Converting your existing bash scripts and workflows to zsh, sh, or bash v5 is an important first step. But what's the difference, and why are there so many? What Do Shells Do? When you sign in at the command line or launch a terminal window on Linux, the system launches the shell Jun 8, 2019 · Other shells, like dash or zsh, leave it up to the OS, which would usually use /bin/sh instead. Explore the notable distinctions between Bash and SH in this insightful article. Tcsh was once (up to the early 1990s) the shell with the best interactive features, like its predecessor csh. Nov 1, 2025 · This table compares the built-in commands available in the original Bourne Shell (sh), Z Shell (Zsh), and Bourne Again Shell (Bash). As far as I use zsh because of Vim mode and its amazing autocompletion and fish-like syntax highlighting and suggestion. The core Let me go over in this video the difference between Bash, ZSH, and Fish, and finally settle the debate on which one is the BEST. Since it's based on the same shell as Bash, ZSH has many of the same features, and switching over is a breeze. Bash, short for "Bourne Again Shell," is a popular and widely used shell that is an enhanced version of the original Unix shell, known as "sh. Discover what are bash and zsh in this concise guide. For scripting, bash, though I'm very excited about nushell getting more mature. Of course, there are numerous shells available for Linux. Completion choices may display in arrays, sorted and displayed by color for each property. Aug 23, 2018 · Are there any advantages to using zsh vs bash shell in Terminal app? Also, can you use zsh from the terminal? My understanding of zsh is skewed. It's easy to write pipelines, loops, command subs, etc because I'm used to bash already from script-writing. What does it mean to be "sh compatible"? gives its history in the overall context of sh -style shells, and Where to find the source code for the Almquist Shell? explains where to find it. Learn which shell aligns with your command-line needs in this comprehensive comparison. Difference between terminal and shell How terminal opens a shell process History of Unix shells: sh, bash, zsh, etc. bash, tcsh, and zsh provide a set of special character sequences for putting dynamic information in the prompt. Both aimed to add improvements, but took different approaches. That's just an old habit that has stood me well. Mar 19, 2025 · Compare the Bash vs. May 21, 2025 · Bash strictly adheres to POSIX standards, which ensures broad compatibility across Unix-like systems. A lot of stuff broke when Ubuntu switched /bin/sh from linking to /bin/bash to linking to /bin/dash. # Zsh auto-correction feature mkdri myfolder # Zsh will correct this to mkdir myfolder While both shells are powerful, use Bash for scripting due to its widespread compatibility, and switch to Zsh for a more interactive terminal experience. But Zsh has been gaining popularity over the last several years as an alternative shell. The features that default Zsh has over default Bash are aimed to make the shell more interactive, making it much more accessible and usable for users of all experience levels. Bash, zsh and fish offer parameter name completion through a definition external to the command, distributed in a separate completion definition file. Bash shell was developed by the Freeware Software and it is written and licensed under the GNU organization. It’s a plugin system to integrate multiple Zsh scripts. This is great because it means most commands and scripts you write will work in either shell, without modification. Zsh has handy global aliases ( alias -g NE="2> /dev/null") and special ones, to trigger commands by extension of files you select (alias -s {txt,yml,yaml,conf,md,sh Bash and Zsh are both popular Unix shell programs that offer similar functionalities, such as command line editing, scripting capabilities, and job control. Oct 29, 2024 · Explore the ultimate Bash vs Shell comparison, revealing powerful insights and key distinctions to help you maximize your command-line efficiency & automation. With both Bash and Zsh providing compelling advantages, selecting the right shell for scripting can significantly shape your productivity, and simplify your daily tasks. For command parameter name/value completions, these shells assume path/filename completion if no completion is defined for the command. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key differences between ZSH and Fish shell. Apr 22, 2024 · Linux Linux Shells for Beginners: Bash, Zsh, and Fish Explained By bomber bot April 22, 2024 Introduction As a full-stack developer, the command line is an essential part of your toolkit. May 13, 2024 · What is Zsh? Zsh, short for Z Shell, is an extended version of the Bourne Shell (sh), which is the default shell on most Unix systems. Bash has better tooling and I write bash more than I write ZSH. I'm increasingly seeing Zsh being recommended, but I'm having trouble finding a useful eplanation about its advantages vs bash. Compare features, syntax, and practical uses to elevate your command line skills. Bash vs Fish The Fish shell (Friendly Interactive SHell) is designed to be user-friendly and easy to learn. Oh my zsh covers several aspects. Sep 24, 2023 · Here's how to install one popular alternative, ZSH. In this article, Zsh vs Bash we will try to draw a line between the two shells and show the differences so that you can understand why you should use one I've always been using oh-my-zsh (omz) on mac/linux and oh-my-bash on windows. In this blog, we’ll explore the key features of Zsh and Bash, helping you decide which one suits your workflow best. Difference between Bash, Zsh, and Ksh Different shells, such as Bash, Zsh, and Ksh, exist to provide users with various features, functionalities, and conveniences tailored to their needs and preferences. Mar 23, 2023 · Shell Comparison: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Bash, Zsh, Fish, and Tcsh Helping you decide which shell to use！ Before we begin comparing various shells, if you’re not sure what a shell is Because of comfort :Zsh has completion in path, commands, as well as options of commands. Here's a comparison: Bash (Bourne Again SHell) History: The successor to the original Bourne shell (sh). Sep 12, 2016 · FreeBSD includes sh, csh and tcsh by default with bash and others in ports. They interpret your commands and interact with the operating system. Zsh is often combined with Oh My Zsh a plugin system and collection of plugins that enhance the shell. Features of Zsh: Advanced Auto-Completion: Zsh Oct 28, 2023 · Why Compare Bash and Zsh? Before we dive in, let‘s briefly go over why you‘d even want to compare Bash and Zsh. Terminal Terminal is just a graphical user interface which takes your keyboard input, and prints stuff. This difference matters when you‘re writing scripts that need to run on multiple systems: # This works in both Bash and Zsh See also What zsh features do you use?, What features are in zsh and missing from Bash, or vice versa?, What are the practical differences between Bash and Zsh?. In this article, we'll attempt to draw the line between the two shells and show the differences so you can get a sense of why you might use one or the other. On Aug 3, 2020 · Zsh vs Bash When we talk about UNIX-based programming we usually mean consoles, terminals and command line interfaces. But what is Zsh, and what is Bash? Both are powerful Unix shells with unique capabilities, making them popular among developers. In addition to Bash and Bourne shell, there are Korn, C, tcsh and Zsh. Understand their origins from AT&T's Bell Labs and the GNU Project, enhancing usability with advanced features like command-line editing and job control. Bash (Bourne Again SHell) is one of the most popular command-line interpreters, but it is not the only one. Let’s check the individual features now. Jun 17, 2025 · Linux | Shell (vs Terminal) shell vs terminal, sh, bash and zsh etc. While they share many similarities, they also have some significant differences. Dec 28, 2022 · What is Zsh? Zsh (short for “Z shell”) is a Unix shell developed by Paul Falstad in 1990. Of course there are obvious things like the ** globbing which simply doesn't exist in bash, but the real issue are the many subtle differences. Or, they include features, which other shells do include, but which behave slightly differently. Apr 29, 2024 · Bash and Zsh are popular Unix shell environments that provide command-line interfaces to the operating system. I want to share which one I chose and how I went about setting it up. What's the main difference between Bash and sh? What do we Jan 10, 2025 · When it comes to command-line interfaces, the debate between Zsh vs Bash often takes center stage. Dec 13, 2022 · Since Fish by default comes with a lot of configurations already set, it is believed to be more beginner friendly than other sh options like Zsh. The default interactive shell in many Linux distributions is Bourne-Again Shell (bash). Nov 18, 2025 · Introduction to Bash and Zsh Bash (Bourne Again Shell) and Zsh (Z Shell) are two powerful Unix command-line interpreters used by advanced users to manage systems and automate tasks. More importantly, examples of scripts online I learn and borrow from others are mostly in sh/bash. The backwards-compatibility of zsh to bash is not that great. Its syntax and capabilities are similar to Bash, but with additional enhancements. May 2, 2022 · Zsh was designed with better user interaction in mind. Jun 20, 2025 · A quick guide to understanding the key differences between Bash, SH, and ZSH and when to use each one for scripting or daily terminal use. Mar 18, 2024 · Compare the performance of two of the most famous Linux shells: dash and bash. ZSH has Oct 23, 2023 · Bash and Zsh share a similar command line syntax. The default Bash shell is a powerful option. Zsh uses more aliases whereas Fish avoids using aliases in the scripting language. sh>. Zsh is a particularly popular alternative, and there are other shells, like ash, dash, fish, and tcsh. Bash shell is free and open-source to use for computer users. Learn why Bash is preferred for its rich functionalities, while SH is favored for simplicity and portability in diverse Unix-like systems. It aimed to be a convenient interface for Unix-based systems at the time… [background on bash creation, versions, features, adoption over time] Zsh In contrast, Zsh was created later by Paul Falstad in 1990 as an extended Bourne shell alternative. While Bash emphasizes reliability and simplicity, Zsh adds modern enhancements like auto-suggestions and plugin support, offering a more versatile experience. My environment is set up to support either based on group of startup scripts I maintain. Zsh shell command languages, explore their differences, and see how to use both successfully. This portability edge along with other factors has largely fueled bash‘s rise in popularity. Technical Comparison: Zsh vs. zsh offers a superset of capability. It covers an overview of both shells, the steps for setting them up, Sep 16, 2024 · Learn how to create and run 'Bash' and 'Zsh' scripts on Linux and macOS to automate tasks, enhance productivity, and streamline workflows with detailed examples. Nowadays, on Linux systems providing a shell named ash, it’s either dash or Busybox ash, both of which derive from the Almquist Shell but have significant Nov 19, 2021 · zsh has a friendly to Apple software license and is mostly compatible with bash, and zsh is not controlled by the Free Software Foundation as founded by Richard Stallman and creator of the GPLv3 license. Cue the collective sighs and confusion. Apr 11, 2025 · Learn the key differences between Zsh and Bash—two powerful Unix shells. Bash (Bourne Again Shell) Overview: When writing shell programs, we often use /bin/sh and /bin/bash. Bash is the default login shell for most Linux distributions. Uncover key contrasts and master the commands for your coding journey. Dec 27, 2023 · In summary, both Zsh and Bash share origins from efforts to extend traditional Unix shells like sh. Are all bash scripts/functions compatible with zsh? Therefore, if that is true is zsh just an enhancement Oct 27, 2025 · A great variety of shells is available for Unix, including Bourne-compatible shells (sh, bash, ksh, pdksh, ash, dash, etc. If you wish to use bash, you can do this, and you can personally install a newer version using HomeBrew <https://brew. It‘s been around for decades and is stable and widely portable. Why switch back to Bash and ble. As you probably know, Bash is the default shell included on most Linux distributions. On the BSDs, the preferred interactive shell is often tcsh while sh is based on either the Almquist shell or pdksh and bash or zsh need to be installed as optional packages as well. The three main ones out there are Bash, Zsh, and Fish. afjqol chb wsyxeez xnwi wychev nrlvp zlxv hirxmbx xuafu pwjmmp lvsc tomm qbdhgk fvee isscb