8 Types of Linux Shells

Linux is a popular open-source operating system used by millions of people around world. One of key features of Linux is variety of shells available for use. Shells are command-line interfaces that allow users to interact with operating system through text-based commands. In this article, we will explore 8 most common types of Linux shells and their features.

Bash Shell

Bash, short for Bourne-Again SHell, is most commonly used shell in Linux. It is default shell in most Linux distributions and is also most powerful. Bash provides a range of features, including command history, tab completion, and scripting. It is also highly customizable and can be configured to suit individual needs.

Example − To use Bash shell, simply open terminal and type "bash" or "bash -l" to start a new session.

Zsh Shell

Zsh is a powerful and highly customizable shell that offers many features not available in Bash. It includes advanced completion capabilities, spelling correction, and a powerful scripting language. Zsh also offers extensive customization options, allowing users to create their own themes and plugins.

Example − To use Zsh shell, first, check if it is installed on your system. If it is not, you can install it using your package manager. Once installed, you can switch to Zsh shell by typing "zsh" or "zsh -l" in terminal.

Fish Shell

Fish, short for Friendly Interactive SHell, is a user-friendly shell that offers many features designed to make working in terminal more enjoyable. It includes syntax highlighting, auto-suggestions, and a built-in help system. Fish is also highly customizable, allowing users to create their own functions and commands.

Example − To use Fish shell, simply open terminal and type "fish" or "fish -l" to start a new session.

Ksh Shell

Ksh, short for Korn SHell, is a powerful shell that offers many advanced features not available in other shells. It includes advanced scripting capabilities, job control, and built-in arithmetic operations. Ksh also provides extensive customization options, allowing users to create their own aliases and functions.

Example − To use Ksh shell, first, check if it is installed on your system. If it is not, you can install it using your package manager. Once installed, you can switch to Ksh shell by typing "ksh" or "ksh -l" in terminal.

Tcsh Shell

Tcsh is an enhanced version of C shell (csh) that offers many advanced features designed to make working in terminal more efficient. It includes advanced tab completion, command history, and job control. Tcsh also provides extensive customization options, allowing users to create their own aliases and functions.

Example − To use Tcsh shell, first, check if it is installed on your system. If it is not, you can install it using your package manager. Once installed, you can switch to Tcsh shell by typing "tcsh" or "tcsh -l" in terminal.

Dash Shell

Dash is a lightweight shell designed for use in scripts and system startup scripts. It is a minimal shell that provides only basic features needed for scripting. Dash is also highly efficient and fast, making it an ideal choice for system administrators.

Example − To use Dash shell, simply open terminal and type "dash" or "dash -l" to start a new session.

Ash Shell

Ash, short for Almquist SHell, is a lightweight shell that is designed to be used in embedded systems and other resource-limited environments. It is a minimal shell that provides only most basic features needed for command-line interaction. Ash is also highly efficient and fast, making it an ideal choice for systems with limited resources.

Example − To use Ash shell, first, check if it is installed on your system. If it is not, you can install it using your package manager. Once installed, you can switch to Ash shell by typing "ash" or "ash -l" in terminal.

C Shell

C shell, also known as csh, is a shell that is popular among programmers and developers. It includes many features designed to make programming and development tasks more efficient. C shell includes advanced command history, job control, and advanced scripting capabilities.

Example − To use C shell, first, check if it is installed on your system. If it is not, you can install it using your package manager. Once installed, you can switch to C shell by typing "csh" or "csh -l" in terminal.

Elvish Shell

Elvish is a relatively new shell that was first released in 2019. It is designed to be easy to use and highly customizable. Elvish includes many advanced features, including syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and a powerful scripting language. It also includes a web-based user interface that allows users to interact with shell through a web browser.

Example − To use Elvish shell, first, check if it is installed on your system. If it is not, you can download it from Elvish website. Once downloaded, you can start a new session by typing "elvish" or "elvish -l" in terminal.

Ion Shell

Ion is a shell that is designed to be highly efficient and fast. It includes advanced features like asynchronous job control and a powerful scripting language. Ion also includes a range of customization options, allowing users to create their own functions and commands.

Example − To use Ion shell, first, check if it is installed on your system. If it is not, you can download it from Ion website. Once downloaded, you can start a new session by typing "ion" or "ion -l" in terminal.

PowerShell

PowerShell is a shell that was originally developed by Microsoft for use on Windows systems. However, it is now available for use on Linux systems as well. PowerShell includes many advanced features, including object-oriented programming capabilities and advanced scripting capabilities.

Example − To use PowerShell on Linux, first, check if it is installed on your system. If it is not, you can download it from Microsoft website. Once downloaded, you can start a new session by typing "pwsh" or "pwsh -l" in terminal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Linux offers a wide variety of shells to choose from, each with its own set of features and capabilities. Bash, Zsh, and Fish are some of most popular shells, offering advanced features like command history, tab completion, and syntax highlighting. Ksh and Tcsh provide advanced scripting capabilities and job control, while Dash and Ash are lightweight shells that are ideal for systems with limited resources. Finally, C shell is a popular choice among programmers and developers, offering advanced scripting capabilities and command history. Whatever your needs, there is a Linux shell out there that can help you get job done.