Linux
Linux Shell Types Comparison
Common Shells
Bash (Bourne Again Shell)
- Default on most Linux distros
- Features:
- Command history with
!! and !$
- Job control with
&, fg, bg
- Command line editing
- Aliases and functions
- Array support
- Arithmetic operations
Zsh (Z Shell)
- Enhanced Bash features plus:
- Advanced tab completion
- Spelling correction
- Path expansion
- Themeable prompts
- Shared command history
- Better array handling
- More powerful globbing
Fish (Friendly Interactive Shell)
- Modern shell focused on usability:
- Auto-suggestions based on history
- Out-of-the-box syntax highlighting
- Web-based configuration
- Man page completion
- No POSIX compliance
Dash (Debian Almquist Shell)
- Lightweight POSIX-compliant shell
- Faster script execution
- Minimal features
- Used as /bin/sh on many systems
- No interactive features
Technical Comparison
| Feature |
Bash |
Zsh |
Fish |
Dash |
| POSIX Compliant |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Arrays |
1D |
Multi-dimensional |
1D |
No |
| Scripting |
Good |
Excellent |
Limited |
Basic |
| Memory Usage |
Medium |
High |
High |
Low |
| Startup Time |
Medium |
Slow |
Medium |
Fast |
| Plugin System |
Limited |
Extensive |
Package Manager |
None |
Common Use Cases
- Bash: General purpose, scripting
- Zsh: Interactive use, development
- Fish: New users, interactive use
- Dash: System scripts, embedded systems # Linux Shell Types Comparison
Common Shells
Bash (Bourne Again Shell)
- Default on most Linux distros
- Features:
- Command history with
!! and !$
- Job control with
&, fg, bg
- Command line editing
- Aliases and functions
- Array support
- Arithmetic operations
Zsh (Z Shell)
- Enhanced Bash features plus:
- Advanced tab completion
- Spelling correction
- Path expansion
- Themeable prompts
- Shared command history
- Better array handling
- More powerful globbing
Fish (Friendly Interactive Shell)
- Modern shell focused on usability:
- Auto-suggestions based on history
- Out-of-the-box syntax highlighting
- Web-based configuration
- Man page completion
- No POSIX compliance
Dash (Debian Almquist Shell)
- Lightweight POSIX-compliant shell
- Faster script execution
- Minimal features
- Used as /bin/sh on many systems
- No interactive features
Technical Comparison
| Feature |
Bash |
Zsh |
Fish |
Dash |
| POSIX Compliant |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Arrays |
1D |
Multi-dimensional |
1D |
No |
| Scripting |
Good |
Excellent |
Limited |
Basic |
| Memory Usage |
Medium |
High |
High |
Low |
| Startup Time |
Medium |
Slow |
Medium |
Fast |
| Plugin System |
Limited |
Extensive |
Package Manager |
None |
Common Use Cases
- Bash: General purpose, scripting
- Zsh: Interactive use, development
- Fish: New users, interactive use
- Dash: System scripts, embedded systems