The Unix world created Bash, which has long been the go-to shell for Linux and macOS users. On the other hand, Powershell is a Microsoft creation that has established its dominance in the Windows ecosystem. While both shells provide powerful command-line capabilities, they are distinguished by their distinct origins, philosophies, and syntaxes. This article, Bash vs PowerShell, examines the key differences between Bash and PowerShell, examining their strengths and weaknesses as well as the scenarios in which each shell excels.
Key Takeaways
- Getting a firm idea about PowerShell, bash, and their advantages.
- Exploring the differences between Bash and PowerShell.
- Learning where to use these to fulfill your purpose.
Watch a Quick Comparison Guide on Bash vs PowerShell
What is Bash?
Bash is a command line environment that basically interacts with Unix operating systems. It was originally designed to be used in Linux environments, but in recent years it has gained traction in Windows environments, which can be attributed to the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). WSL made it possible to run a true Linux shell on top of Windows, So, you can use the Bash shell to interact with Windows in the same way you would on a native Linux machine.
Advantages of Bash
Bash which is the default shell of Linux and some other operating systems offers some advantages that I am going to show you in this article.
What is PowerShell?
Similar to Bash, PowerShell is Microsoft’s next-generation command-line interface. It functions as both a scripting language and a management tool. It is primarily used for automation tasks, such as management tasks. Although it includes many built-in commands, additional commands can be added by using external modules. Poweshell is available in cross-platform versions for Linux and macOS.
Advantages of PowerShell
There are some advantages of Windows PowerShell worth mentioning In this section I’ll point out some advantages of Powershell.
Differences Between Bash and Powershell
In this segment, I will discuss the differences between Bash and Powershell on the basis of some key features.
In this article, you will find some differences between Bash and Powershell based on the commands used in both systems.
Feature
Powershell
Bash
Creation
Introduced in the year 2006.
Introduced in 1989.
Purpose
It is used for task automation and configuration management for Windows.
It is a user shell and command line interpreter.
Input and Output
It treats input and output as objects.
It treats inputs and outputs as text structures.
Command-Line Interface
More Graphical Command Line Interface.
Simple text-based Command Line interface.
System
It is native to Windows and can also be used on Linux and MacOS.
It is native to Linux but usable on Windows, MacOS, Unix, and BSD.
Best Suited For
Microsoft environments and programs, such as Active Directory, SQL, etc.
Linux environments and servers.
Availability
Installed by default in Windows, but can also be extended with the API.
Installed by default in Linux, nothing to download or install.
Comparison Based on Commands
Tasks
PowerShell Command
Bash Command
List Files and Directories
Get-ChildItem or ls
ls
Create .txt file
New-Item <filename.txt>
touch <filename.txt>
Copy a File
Copy-Item
cp
Move a Line
Move-Item
mv
Delete a File
Remove-Item, rm, del
rm
Delete a Directory
Remove-Item, rmdir
rm-r
Change Directory
Set_Childterm
cd
Show Current Directory
Get-Location
pwd
Write a Comment
#comment
#comment
Clear the Screen
Cls, clear , CTRL + L
Clear , CTRL + L
Print a String
echo “string”, write host
echo “string”
Create Varibale
$var
var
Search a Path
$env:Path
$Path
Use Boolean Values
$true , $false
true , false
So What Should You Use?
The operating system you’re using and your particular needs will both influence your decision between PowerShell and Bash. PowerShell is likely the better choice if you primarily work with Windows systems or need to interact with Microsoft technologies.
On the other hand, Bash is a better fit if you work in a Unix-like environment or need to automate tasks related to file manipulation and system administration. Finally, familiarity with both shells can be beneficial because they each have their own strengths and can be useful in different situations.
Conclusion
In this article, I have tried to point out bash vs PowerShell, based on commands, and the differences between these two shells. In summary, I can conclude that Bash is for administration and managing automation tasks on Linux, while, on the other hand, PowerShell kind of does the same task but on Windows Operating Systems. Though you can find some crossover between these two, it is evident that both peak in their native systems.
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- Features of Bash [A Comprehensive Review]
- Bash vs Zsh [The Ultimate Comparison]
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