this post was submitted on 29 Jan 2026
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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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As you've mentioned in other threads, bash is a hard requirement for the OS, so if it's already installed, and the default on most Linux distros, bash is probably the best option.
The dash shell isn't designed to be user interactive. It's a lightweight scripting shell/language.
The ksh shell is an older standard shell. Years ago I worked for a company that ran corporate Unix systems and on those systems only ksh and tcsh were available. Ksh was the default, and as someone only familiar with bash it was a bit different but mostly the same. So there is at least one point for maybe choosing ksh.
However my personal shell preference is zsh. When I write scripts I do so using bash. The two shells are 99% similar on a day to day basis, but I prefer zsh for a user interface. So I use one for day to day and the other for scripting.
Other threads have also mentioned fish, which is also a great choice if you don't know where to start.
Are zsh or fish "heavier" or "bloated", maybe. But remember to consider your attack surface. If your house is on fire it doesn't matter of you fix the leaky faucet in bathroom or the kitchen.
Thank you!