Published in · 2 min read · May 23, 2022
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When you’re at a command prompt, typing commands, and reading output, you’re using a terminal program (or console on windows). Your commands are forwarded via the terminal to a software called a shell, whose duty it is to execute the commands you input in the terminal and optionally print output. The shell’s output is then presented in the terminal window.
The shell is like the javascript engine, and the terminal is like the web browser. Your browser delivers your input (clicks, keystrokes, and mouse movements) to javascript, which processes the actions and presents the results.
ZSH, like bash, is a specific shell, just like Linux is a specific operating system. There are several shells available, each with its own syntax, features, and usefulness. Bash, cshell, fish, Powershell, zsh, and other shells are available.
When you install ZSH, you’re simply downloading new software and instructing your terminal to use it (rather than bash) to process commands and run scripts.
oh-my-zsh allows you to manage your zsh configurations, themes, and plugins to customize the appearance and functionality of your shell.
Beginning with macOS Catalina, zsh will be the default login and interactive shell across the operating system. In macOS Catalina, all newly created user accounts will use zsh by default. Bash will remain available, but Apple is advising developers to migrate to zsh on macOS Mojave or earlier in anticipation of bash being phased out of macOS.
Hopefully this helps the people who are newly to Mac world!
