Bin zsh vs bin bash. First I tried to set '"terminal.

Bin zsh vs bin bash First: the shell is an interface between the user and operating system services. For the line "terminal. Compare features, syntax, and practical uses to elevate your command line skills. ) Don't use -f for sh or bash scripts; it doesn't have the same meaning. This is a flexible way of using different interpreters for different programs. To change your shell to Bash on a Mac, you can use the following command in the Terminal: chsh -s /bin/bash Understanding Shells on macOS A shell is a program that provides an interface for users to interact with the operating system. BASH_SOURCE An array variable whose members are the source file Mar 22, 2024 · Thank you @BeErikk. Zsh shell command languages, explore their differences, and see how to use both successfully. Bash hews closer to that conventional Bourne syntax and control flow. (Or better yet, don't write csh scripts. 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. Or press Ctrl +,; At this point you can browse the settings, or type terminal. Some folks swear by Korn /bin/ksh. Continue reading for a more detailed explanation and 1: Like others said, using #!/bin/sh will maintain it's POSIX compatibility. shell. Jun 24, 2020 · This is an excerpt from my book: “ Moving to zsh. Jun 7, 2013 · 0 I had developed the bash script on a Mac, so the first line of the script was #!/opt/homebrew/bin/bash When I tried to run it on ubuntu, I got the bad-interpreter issue. The script then prints ‘Hello, World!’ to the console. Jan 4, 2018 · Both /bin/zsh and /usr/bin/zsh are explicitly added together (same if-fi block) in the postinst (post-install) script for the zsh-package, using the add-shell command: Dec 27, 2023 · In this comprehensive 2500+ word guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Zsh vs Bash scripting. If you want to use zsh, AVOID installing oh-my-zsh. In Ubuntu /bin/sh used to link to bash, typical behavior on Linux distributions, but now has changed to linking to another shell called As far as I know, it is recommended to use #!/usr/bin/env bash because env is always located in /usr/bin directory while location of bash may vary from system to system. ) As long as you stick to sh features only, you can (and probably even should) use #!/bin/sh and the script should work fine, no matter which shell it is. RUN uses /bin/sh by default. Almost all (note the "almost"!) Linux installations will have bash, but on *BSD systems it is rare (the BSD persuation has severe misgivings about GPL code, like bash). sh from the script-library which includes zsh and Oh My Zsh! installation options. 339 I've seen in a number of places, including recommendations on this site (What is the preferred Bash shebang?), to use #!/usr/bin/env bash in preference to #!/bin/bash. Enter cd /u/lo/b, press tab, and it will be completed to cd /usr/local/bin since it is the only matching pattern And while, on different platforms, `/bin/sh` may be a symlink to a variety of other shells such as `ksh`, `ash`, `zsh`, `dash`, or even `bash`, calling whatever shell it is by the name `sh` invokes the POSIX compliance features of that shell. 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. This tutorial will help you for switching between Zsh and Bash on macOS systems. Bash is. One major difference is that, depending on the system, #!/usr/bin/bash won't work. adduser is the newer version so it defaults to the newer bash. bash and sh are just different programs, traditionally. Discover essential commands and tips to master your command line quickly and effectively. It has specific differences in terms of scripting from Bash, but that doesn’t pose a problem. Nov 18, 2004 · What is the difference between different shells? How are bash, sh, tcsh, csh, ksh, zsh, and whatever other ones different? Why are there so many, and Sep 10, 2025 · 本文探讨了Bash和Sh两种Unix Shell之间的区别，包括它们的历史背景、功能特性及执行脚本的方式。详细分析了#!/bin/bash和#!/bin/sh Note that bash has different behaviour if /bin/sh is (sym)linked to bash: If bash is invoked with the name sh, it tries to mimic the startup behavior of historical versions of sh as closely as possible, while conforming to the POSIX standard as well. On macOS, the default shell is Zsh, introduced in macOS Catalina. g. I usually use bash, but I don't know what's the difference between them. We’ll cover everything from installation and setup, to customizing and configuring each shell, to using advanced features and tools. First I tried to set '"terminal. So using env will make your script a bit more portable. Mar 26, 2024 · Finally, change the command from /bin/zsh to /bin/bash and click Enter. This tells the system to use the bash interpreter located at /bin/bash to execute the script. If you want to distinguish your zsh script files, the you can also change the script’s file extension from . It doesn't make any problem when you are not printing to the console like compiling a C program a bash se Mar 17, 2019 · If i try to use VS Code with zsh, it says "The terminal process command '/usr/bin/zsh' failed to launch (exit code: 1)". Most commands work the same, but they are different. The most common command shell is Bash, but there are other options available and widely used, such as the Z Shell or zsh. Most folks are comfortable and used to Bourne /bin/sh. May 15, 2012 · For a csh script, you should use #!/bin/csh -f; the -f tells the shell not to source the user's . You may swear by Zsh /bin/zsh. This guide explores their pros and cons to help you determine which is best to use. Read the HISTORY EXPANSION section of man zshexpn to learn more. "tcsh") 3) save the file and exit the same can be done Explore the differences between tcsh vs bash and discover which shell suits your style. Sep 7, 2024 · @topsail if I run ls /bin/bash in my regular terminal or a VS Code terminal, they both output /bin/bash. Explore the nuances of zsh vs bash in this comprehensive guide. Then restart the application. However, are there any technical differences if bash is started directly with /bin/bash or through env utility? Aug 22, 2024 · Understanding the Differences Between Unix Shells: bash, csh, dash, ksh, shh, tcsh, and zsh Unix-like operating systems offer various command-line shells, each with unique features and Mar 18, 2024 · Explore the differences between #!/usr/bin/bash and #!/usr/bin/env bash shebang lines and understand their advantages and disadvantages. 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 any case, running #!/bin/bash as a command would not do anything, this is useful only in scripts, where the first line starting with a shebang (#!) has special meaning and indicates the (usually shell) executable to use to run the script. Is there some way to tell RUN to use /bin/bash instead? Dive into the comparison of c shell vs bash and discover their unique features, syntax, and best use cases for your scripting needs. This means that most of your Bash scripts and command history should work in Zsh. Because zsh is not default in the linux kernel. 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. The remote terminal runs bash just fine. Zsh, while mostly compatible with Bash, prioritizes features and user experience over strict POSIX compliance. Aug 20, 2019 · To switch your script from using bash to zsh, you have to change the shebang in the first line from #!/bin/bash to #!/bin/zsh. Same for Solaris. . May 25, 2012 · bash and sh are two different shells. I've found the syntax of zsh really close to the one of bash, and I did not pay attention if there was really some incompatibilities. sh which has #!/bin/bash at the top, the actual command that runs is /bin/bash foo. Unravel their unique features and learn how to choose the right shell for your tasks. Having said that, you should realize /bin/sh on most systems will be a symbolic link and will not invoke sh. Nov 26, 2024 · While Zsh is not completely compatible with Bash, it shares some similar functionalities and features with Bash. Sep 24, 2023 · ZSH has too many features to list here, some just minor improvements to Bash, but here are some of the major ones: Automatic cd: Just type the name of the directory Recursive path expansion: For example "/u/lo/b" expands to "/usr/local/bin" Automatic Syntax Highlighting: Words, file extensions, and other things visible in the Terminal are color Apr 11, 2025 · Learn the key differences between Zsh and Bash—two powerful Unix shells. Since macOS Catalina, Apple has made Zsh the default shell, replacing Bash. zsh. Sep 2, 2023 · Note that converting a Bash script to ZSH may involve more than just replacing bash with #!/bin/zsh at the top of the script. This is great because it means most commands and scripts you write will work in either shell, without modification. ” At the MacAdmins Conference Campfire session I received quite a few questions regarding this, so I thought it would be helpful information. Bash will be located in /usr/local/bin/ on FreeBSD for example. #!/usr/bin/bash or #!/bin/bash They both are the same program, but is there any difference on behavior? ~/scratchpad$ ls -lLtri /bin/bash /usr/bin/bash 1655 -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 1183448 Jun 18 2020 /usr/bin/bash 1655 -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root Feb 22, 2023 · Using #!/usr/bin/env bash It is also a shebang line used in script files to execute commands with a bash shell. useradd is an older command from when shell was the default shell. You find the C Shell /bin/csh on AT&T Unix. It acts as a bridge between the user and the system’s services. Both shells allow users to run commands, write scripts, and interact with the operating system efficiently. Dec 17, 2022 · I ended up solving the issue by creating a symbolic link from the path VS Code is checking (/usr/local/bin/zsh in my case) to the zsh path (the path you see when you run which zsh. /bin/bash. I'm connecting to a server using putty. Restart the Terminal, and bash will now be set as your default shell. Some scripts use /usr/bin others use /bin. Mar 12, 2024 · Here in this article, we are going to differentiate between the two most popular shells bash and zsh. linux": "/bin/zsh"' in the May 5, 2019 · When launching an attached container in "VS Code Remote Development", has anyone found a way to change the container's shell when launching the vscode integrated terminal. So. Bash is common in scripting since it has features that work well with scripting, whereas zsh is geared towards the human (I don't know of any zsh scripts, though there are sure to be at least some). The distinction between /bin and /usr/bin is largely arbitrary. Oct 10, 2016 · In short: There are several shells which implement a superset of the POSIX sh specification. Depending on the complexity of the script, you may need to make changes throughout the code to accommodate differences between the two shells. Dec 27, 2023 · 1. Can anyone confirm this is correct? Discover seamless ways to switch from bash to zsh and enhance your command line experience. But what is Zsh, and what is Bash? Both are powerful Unix shells with unique capabilities, making them popular among developers. For compatibility reasons. One of the exceptions is bash, since #!/bin/bash has been used in countless scripts over the last decades, so providing /bin/bash for compatibility, with a symlink, is a good solution for now. Discover which is better for scripting, performance, customization, and productivity in your terminal workflow. linux in the search bar; As value of the field Terminal > Integrated > Shell:Linux fill /bin/bash. But there’s much more to shell scripting and handling different errors that might come up. If it does, try adding the full path: /usr/bin/zsh or /bin/zsh. Side note: remember "#!/usr/bin/env python" form. I am studding bash scripting and I'm confused on the difference between /bin/bash and /usr/bin/bash when I use them in the #! line for a shell script. You can get a lot more detailed information on “ Moving to zsh ” in the book! Calls to the POSIX sh /bin/sh in macOS are handled by /bin/bash in sh compatibility mode. bash_profile files: 1) vim ~/. shellIntegration. By using the form =zsh, zsh expands the word zsh to the full path of the shell. Bash is known for its simplicity, POSIX compliance, and widespread availability across Linux distributions 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. In this blog, we’ll explore the key features of Zsh and Bash, helping you decide which one suits your workflow best. While Bash is a robust, reliable shell widely used for scripting and basic command-line tasks, Zsh takes things further with modern enhancements, customizability, and interactivity. However, you have two options for bash: /bin/bash and /bin/bash (chrooted). 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. The shebang (and also executable permission) is only taken into account if you’re running the script as a program: $ . Jan 10, 2025 · Even after uninstalling Zsh, the binary file (/usr/bin/zsh) may remain if it was manually installed, left over from incomplete uninstallation, or set as the default shell for a user. linux to e. It seems to run something Oct 14, 2024 · If you’re a mac-based developer like me, and you never quite understood the difference between Bash Tagged with bash, zsh, macbook, shell. /bin/bash says you need bash, but doesn't say which version of bash is required. Let‘s compare two script examples side-by-side to demonstrate: #!/bin/csh Jan 23, 2012 · So, if you try to run a file called foo. While Zsh offers many modern Aug 13, 2017 · In my Linux machine the default shell is zsh but when i run tasks it run them in /bin/bash. enabled": false, ChatGPT recommended I try adding that line. Or, probably better, search for /bin/zsh and replace it with /bin May 19, 2016 · I'm using this tutorial to learn bash scripts to automate a few tasks for me. how can i find out if this a symlinked and and what does that matter? Dec 21, 2019 · I referred to this answer to change my default shell How to change default shell to ZSH - chsh says &quot;invalid shell&quot; After adding zsh to /etc/shells and doing sudo chsh -s "$(command -v z Jan 26, 2016 · How does one choose between "$0" and "$ {BASH_SOURCE [0]}" This description from GNU didn't help me much. Apr 11, 2022 · But As soon as I set terminal. 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 Discover what are bash and zsh in this concise guide. Feb 8, 2024 · Did I mention how I love bash\zsh for this?) According to wonderful "Bash idioms" book -- unsure if I can post link here, and my personal expirience, the best shebang-strings solutions are: /usr/bin/env bash # Still not ideal but is the best what humanity have for now. This comprehensive guide will walk you through configuring environment variables, managing shell profiles, and setting up aliases for optimal productivity. If you Simple question, is the same ? Vim autocomplete me when write bash + tab =&gt; #!/usr/bin/env bash but I usually watch #!/bin/bash in every script. 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 Sep 24, 2021 · By setting it as a shell variable and not an environment variable, child processes written in different shells (bash, ksh, sh, ) can set the SHELL variable by themselves, if they like. Dec 18, 2024 · As a Bash shell user, this means that you can immediately start working within a Z shell, as well as create shell scripts exactly like you would in a Bash shell (the only change would be using #!/bin/zsh instead of #!/bin/bash on the first line of the shell script). Jun 21, 2025 · Setting up your macOS shell environment properly is crucial for an efficient development workflow. Bash vs. Hi. Specifically, you're running the built-in version, which is rather old; it may be you were using a newer version before (maybe installed with homebrew or something like that), in which case you probably want to find that version and switch from /bin If you haven't used any of these shells before, I think bash is the best option for you. Dec 25, 2024 · Explore different types of Linux shells like Bash, Zsh, and Fish, and learn their key features and differences. Basically bash is sh, with more features and better syntax. Zsh is a particularly popular alternative, and there are other shells, like ash, dash, fish, and tcsh. ” 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. I've even seen one enterprising individual suggest using #!/bin/bash was wrong and bash functionality would be lost by doing so. What's the main difference between Bash and sh? What do we I use zsh because of Vim mode and its amazing autocompletion and fish-like syntax highlighting and suggestion. Apr 30, 2012 · 2184 You should use #!/usr/bin/env bash for portability: Different *nixes put bash in different places, and using /usr/bin/env is a workaround to run the first bash found on the PATH. Remove it manually using: sudo rm /usr/bin/zsh Also, check and update the default shell if needed: chsh -s /bin/bash Oct 23, 2023 · Bash and Zsh share a similar command line syntax. Solaris default PATH for non root users is just /usr/bin, having both /usr/bin and /bin would make no sense. And just to add to the frivolity, most systems put the env command in /usr/bin, but that's not guaranteed. integrated. I switched 6 years ago from bash to zsh seamlessly. bashrc and . When writing shell programs, we often use /bin/sh and /bin/bash. 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. Jul 24, 2017 · echo $SHELL logged: /bin/zsh why the built-in shell is still bash what should I config vscode the to make the zsh works in the built-in terminal? Jul 28, 2014 · I'm creating a Dockerfile build script and would like to use bash commands. This assumes that zsh is in your PATH, which is reasonable anyway. Tcsh was once (up to the early 1990s) the shell with the best interactive features, like its predecessor csh. So it defaults users to shell. This will set your default shell to bash. the difference is it uses the env command to display the environment variable present in the system, then executes commands with a defined interpreter. Nov 26, 2023 · In this example, we’ve used the correct shebang line #!/bin/bash at the start of our script. You may prefer GNU Bourne-Again /bin/bash. sh See May 2, 2022 · Zsh was designed with better user interaction in mind. CSH employs a more C-like programming style using distinct keywords and operators like foreach rather than the traditional shell for loop style. And sh is not bash. sh to . Other than that, there are not many different from bash as interactive shell. cshrc, which makes the script run faster and avoids dependencies on the user's setup. 04), bash is /bin/bash, and there is no /usr/bin/bash. Feb 13, 2019 · In the VSC application open File> Preferences> Settings. What is guaranteed available is /bin/sh, essentially the original Bourne shell. The script, located in /Documents/LOG, is: #!/bin/bash # My first script echo & Mar 16, 2023 · The ! character is used in zsh for history expansion. 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. /test1. By the end of this article, you should have a clear understanding of the differences between zsh and bash and which one is the best choice Jan 10, 2025 · When it comes to command-line interfaces, the debate between Zsh vs Bash often takes center stage. 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. bashrc 2) add the shell name at the end of the file (e. May 17, 2025 · VSCode keep using /bin/bash instead of /bin/zsh when default profile was zsh #249169 New issue Closed flixyudh Aug 3, 2020 · Zsh vs Bash When we talk about UNIX-based programming we usually mean consoles, terminals and command line interfaces. Zsh in itself is also a compelling scripting language. The Z shell also has a similar environment file structure. login and . Jul 8, 2024 · Compatibility modes: e. This guide simplifies the transition while spotlighting zsh's powerful features. What's the output of wsl -d <distro> -u root file /bin/bash and wsl -d <distro> -u root ls -la /home ? Apr 27, 2021 · @kirillsafin The base Debian image likely does not have zsh installed. Other shells such as bash/ash/dash/zsh all have different features. 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. Under Solaris 10 and older it is /bin/sh which is the legacy Bourne shell implementation. You can do everything you want with zsh easily without it. Since Solaris 11, /bin/sh is ksh93. It covers an overview of both shells, the steps for setting them up, Nov 8, 2020 · 使用Mac系统的朋友应该比较熟悉Zsh和Bash这两个shell，但是对二者具体有什么区别可能不太了解。本文将从这两个shell入手，对相关概念以及二者区别进行解释。 什么是 The backwards-compatibility of zsh to bash is not that great. No, you cannot. May 21, 2025 · Bash strictly adheres to POSIX standards, which ensures broad compatibility across Unix-like systems. Most tutorials and articles for linux commands online assume you are using bash. To do backups, you will probably need the bash to have full access to execute all commands. Syntax One of the starkest differences comes in the overall structure and syntax used for scripting. After that, quit the Terminal by pressing Cmd + Q. Most definitions in this repository run common-debian. sh It is ignored if you directly run the interpreter and provide your script as an argument: $ bash test1. Aug 20, 2020 · I want to build VSCode from source and I get this error: The terminal process "/bin/zsh '-c', 'yarn run watch-extensionsd'" failed to launch (exit code: 127). Uncover features, strengths, and tips to master your command line experience. bash (which seems to be the default), even the local terminal tries to open \bin\bash. On my system (Ubuntu 17. Based on the output it looks like your distro might be missing some files. Bash is the default login shell for most Linux distributions. The default shell is /usr/bin/bash only on Solaris 11. Dec 28, 2022 · In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at both zsh and bash, comparing their features, benefits, and drawbacks. defaultProfile. That made it popular for interactive use (but not for scripting). Scripts always use the "#!/bin/bash" or "#!/bin/zsh" to direct the target environment. Oct 21, 2019 · /bin/sh usually means that your script is POSIX-compliant and can be run without modification using any POSIX-compliant shell (dash, ash, bash, zsh in compatibility mode, etc). Mar 1, 2020 · Things to know when differentiating Zsh vs Bash. May 4, 2023 · When i ls -la i see bash in both, in /bin and in /usr/bin, i can set both path with usermod. sh. 1: Like others said, using #!/bin/sh will maintain it's POSIX compatibility. Let’s dive in! What Is a Shell? A shell is more Jan 13, 2021 · Bash and Zsh are two popular Linux shells. (It will always be sh-compatible though – never csh or fish. I don't know what the standard shell is on Mac, but again, there are misgivings about GPL. /bin/tcsh /bin/csh /bin/zsh Switch to an Available Shell Temporarily (given the list above, for example): bash tcsh csh zsh Login to a Specific Shell Every Time: Add the shell name to your . Feb 14, 2024 · That message indicates you are running bash (it's trying to talk you into switching to zsh). Jan 11, 2025 · The Zsh vs Bash debate boils down to their unique features, strengths, and intended use cases. linux": "/bin/zsh"' in the Mar 17, 2019 · If i try to use VS Code with zsh, it says "The terminal process command '/usr/bin/zsh' failed to launch (exit code: 1)". Several distros wish to move everything to /usr/bin since there's not much point in having /sbin and /bin anymore. Mar 3, 2017 · Most Linux distributions include the bash shell by default, but you could also switch to another shell environment. I changed the first line to /usr/bin/bash This change worked on ubuntu which bash command on ubuntu to find the path of bash. Dec 14, 2012 · With that said, the difference between #!/bin/bash, #!/bin/sh, or even #!/bin/zsh is whether the bash, sh, or zsh programs are used to interpret the rest of the file. Using sh works with the container terminal, but also tries to run sh on my local windows machine. You can use /bin/bash as a drop-in replacement for Bash Startup/shutdown scripts via zshenv, zprofile, zshrc, zlogin, and zlogout git command completion Path expansion: e. 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 Jul 13, 2019 · If your scripts start with the line #!/bin/bash they will still be run using bash, even if your default shell is zsh. Basic Features of Bash and Zsh Jul 16, 2019 · You’re missing a leading slash making the shebang an absolute path: #!/bin/bash # ↑ here In your case, the shell seems to be searching for . zsh is a niche shell Unlock the power of scripting with bin bash zsh. zsh is an addon to debian which Kali is built on top of but the creators of Kali set zsh as the default for the primary user kali. 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. My environment is set up to support either based on group of startup scripts I maintain. You‘ll learn about their origins, syntax variations, scripting and interactive capabilities, use cases, communities, and more through insightful examples and analysis. macOS will scream at you when you open the shell that the “default interactive shell is now zsh. On different systems, /bin/sh might be a link to ash, bash, dash, ksh, zsh, &c. You can verify this by asking 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 … BSDs have different directory hierarchy. This difference matters when you‘re writing scripts that need to run on multiple systems: # This works in both Bash and Zsh Mar 19, 2025 · Compare the Bash vs. ddg ukoy tphpx vxzyeab vuya nsoyefq cgqgg epshqb mskwm bao czccke ikhay cqqok hrmchnng drp