Ash vs. Bash: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 5, 2024
Ash is a lightweight Unix shell; Bash is a widely-used, feature-rich Unix shell.
Key Differences
Ash (Almquist Shell) is known for its simplicity and efficiency, ideal for minimalistic systems. Bash (Bourne Again Shell) is more feature-rich, providing extensive scripting capabilities.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Ash consumes fewer resources, making it suitable for systems with limited resources. In contrast, Bash requires more memory and processing power due to its additional features.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
In terms of compatibility, Ash is POSIX compliant but lacks many of the extensions found in Bash. Bash offers more advanced features like command-line completion and history.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Ash is often the default shell in lightweight distributions of Linux and BSD. Bash is the default shell in many mainstream Linux distributions and macOS.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Scripting in Ash is more constrained due to its limited feature set. Bash scripts can be more complex and powerful, utilizing the shell's extensive features.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Compatibility
POSIX compliant, fewer features
POSIX compliant, more extensions
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Default in
Lightweight Linux/BSD distributions
Mainstream Linux distributions, macOS
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Ash and Bash Definitions
Ash
Uses minimal system resources.
I chose Ash for my older computer because it's resource-efficient.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
Provides extensive functionalities.
Bash is my go-to shell for complex scripting.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
A simple command interpreter.
Ash is perfect for my minimal Linux setup.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
Offers user-friendly features.
Command-line completion in Bash saves me a lot of time.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
Offers fundamental shell scripting.
My script runs well in Ash, as it doesn't require complex features.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Bash
Requires more memory and CPU.
Bash runs slower on my old laptop due to its resource demands.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
The grayish-white to black powdery residue left when something is burned.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
Default in many systems.
Bash came pre-installed on my Linux distribution.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
To strike with a heavy, crushing blow
The thug bashed the hood of the car with a sledgehammer.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
The mineral residue of incinerated organic matter, used as an additive in pet foods.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
To beat or assault severely
The police arrested the men who bashed an immigrant in the park.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
(Informal) To criticize (another) harshly, accusatorially, and threateningly
"My point is not to bash teachers or healthcare providers" (Richard Weissbourd).
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
Any of various chiefly deciduous trees of the genus Fraxinus, having opposite, pinnately compound leaves, clusters of small flowers, and one-seeded winged fruits.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
The strong, elastic wood of any of these trees, used for furniture, tool handles, and sporting goods such as baseball bats.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
(Linguistics) The letter æ in Old English and some modern phonetic alphabets, representing the vowel sound of Modern English ash.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
(informal) To strike heavily.
The thugs kept bashing the cowering victim.
If the engine won't start, bash it with this hammer.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
(informal) To collide; used with into or together.
Don't bash into me with that shopping trolley.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
(Informal) To drop ashes from a cigar or cigarette
Accidentally ashed on his own sleeve.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
The solid remains of a fire.
The audience was more captivated by the growing ash at the end of his cigarette than by his words.
Ash from a fireplace can restore minerals to your garden's soil.
Ashes from the fire floated over the street.
Ash from the fire floated over the street.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
(chemistry) The nonaqueous remains of a material subjected to any complete oxidation process.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
(informal) A large party; a gala event.
They had a big bash to celebrate their tenth anniversary.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
(in the plural) Human (or animal) remains after cremation.
The urn containing his ashes was eventually removed to a closet.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
An attempt at doing something.
I'm not sure I'll be any good at this, but let me have a bash.
This was my first bash at macramé, so I'm quite pleased with how it's turned out.
Give something a bash
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
Mortal remains in general.
Napoleon's ashes are not yet extinguished, and we're breathing in their sparks.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
To abash; to disconcert or be disconcerted or put out of countenance.
His countenance was bold and bashed not.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
A shade tree of the genus Fraxinus.
The ash trees are dying off due to emerald ash borer.
The woods planted in ash will see a different mix of species.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
A vigorous blow;
The sudden knock floored him
He took a bash right in his face
He got a bang on the head
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Bash
Supports complex scripts.
My advanced backup script utilizes Bash's extensive features.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
A genus of trees of the Olive family, having opposite pinnate leaves, many of the species furnishing valuable timber, as the European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and the white ash (Fraxinus Americana).
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
Any of various deciduous pinnate-leaved ornamental or timber trees of the genus Fraxinus
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
Strong elastic wood of any of various ash trees; used for furniture and tool handles and sporting goods such as baseball bats
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
Follows POSIX standards.
Ash's POSIX compliance ensures compatibility across different systems.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Ash
Ideal for systems with limited capabilities.
We use Ash in our embedded devices due to its small footprint.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 12, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can Ash be used in large servers?
Yes, but it's more common in minimal setups.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Is Ash the default shell in some systems?
Yes, in lightweight Linux/BSD distributions.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Why would someone choose Ash over Bash?
For its efficiency in resource use.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Do they both have command-line interfaces?
Yes, both are command-line shells.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Are both Ash and Bash POSIX compliant?
Ash is strictly POSIX, Bash has extensions.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Can I install Bash on a system that has Ash?
Yes, if the system meets the resource requirements.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Are Bash scripts always compatible with Ash?
No, due to Bash's additional features.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 05, 2024
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
Dua Fatima
