The Difference Between Command Line, Console, Terminal, and Shell
The command line is something most people familiar with the history and structure of any operating system know about. Earlier, you could interact with a computer by writing commands. It’s quick and convenient when you know what to do.
The graphic UI was created for common users and overall comfort, with the command line still there.
However, there are other terms that not everyone, especially beginners, know about. And the difference between these terms may be blurry.
Today, we’re going to talk about what the command line, console, terminal, and shell are, and how they are different.
What Is the Command Line?
The command line is the interface you use to input commands and talk to your computer. Simply put, it’s the actual space where you enter the text that the programs will process later.
It’s very similar to the terminal, and some people even use the two terms as synonyms.
But the command line is a broader term. It represents one of the two interfaces we all have on our computers:
- CLI – command-line interface, the text-based interface where you have to type commands to get results
- GUI – graphical user interface, the more common interface for users where you see all the icons and have to click for events to happen
What Is the Console?
The console facilitates your interaction with a computer. It’s a device or a combination of devices that allow you to input data and see the output on the screen. So, your keyboard, mouse, and computer screen make up the console.
It allows you to type, see what you type, and see the result of your command input.
What Is the Terminal?
The terminal is an environment where you can see the input and output of data. It’s software that acts as a package so that you can focus on the place where you execute commands.
Simply put, it’s the window where you see the text you input and the result it shows.
As it is a program, you can uninstall it and install another one whenever you need. You may have several as well for your convenience.
The standard terminal is what you see pre-installed in your operating system. And if you need more or other features, you can shift to another one.
What Is the Shell?
A shell is an interpreter for the command line. It processes the commands you input and shows you the results. This is also one of the programs that are preinstalled in every operating system.
So, basically, you can uninstall it if you need. If you need other features, you can install another shell. Having multiple shells on one computer is also fine.
For example, Mac and Linux have one preinstalled shell called Bash. Windows works with Powershell. That’s why the commands differ depending on the OS you’re using.
Why Is It Difficult to Determine the Difference?
Users who are farther away from the inside operations of their devices tend to confuse the shell and command line, for example. Also, it may be difficult to grasp how many programs are involved in the process of writing and executing commands.
But if you want to use your PC or laptop quickly and eventually get into coding, you will need to understand the difference between these four essential elements.
Summary
While it may be difficult at first to grasp the difference between these terms, once you do, it becomes much easier to operate a device without the graphic user interface. It’s like you’re leveling up and things that have been difficult for you become a breeze.
So, a terminal is a device file, interface, or environment that performs additional commands.
The command line is the interface where you type commands.
A console is a combo of an input device or devices and a display monitor.
A shell is the software that processes the commands.
All of these work together to provide you with a text-only user experience.