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C++ vs Zsh (Z shell): What are the differences?
Introduction
In the world of programming, both C++ and Zsh (Z shell) play crucial roles in different areas. Despite both being used for scripting purposes, they exhibit key differences that set them apart.
Syntax Complexity: One significant difference between C++ and Zsh is their syntax complexity. C++ is a complex programming language with a steep learning curve, especially for beginners, due to its elaborate syntax and features. On the other hand, Zsh, being a shell script, has a simpler syntax compared to C++ and is more user-friendly for quick scripting tasks especially in a command line environment.
Typing System: Another key difference is the typing system employed by C++ and Zsh. C++ is a statically-typed language where data types are explicitly defined and checked at compile time, ensuring type safety. In contrast, Zsh is dynamically typed, allowing for more flexibility in handling variables without the need for explicit type declarations, making it easier to work with in certain scenarios but potentially leading to run-time errors.
Usage: C++ is a general-purpose programming language commonly used for developing system software, games, and performance-critical applications due to its efficiency and control over hardware resources. On the other hand, Zsh is primarily used as a shell scripting language, proficient at executing commands, managing files, and automating tasks within a Unix-like environment, making it a preferred choice for system administrators and power users.
Performance: C++ is known for its high performance and efficiency, allowing for optimized code execution and resource management. In contrast, Zsh, being a scripting language interpreter, may not offer the same level of performance as C++ due to its interpreter-based nature, leading to potential overheads during script execution.
Modularity and Libraries: C++ is well-known for its robust support of libraries and extensive standard template library (STL) that provide a wide range of ready-to-use functions and data structures, enabling developers to leverage pre-existing code solutions. Conversely, Zsh lacks the extensive libraries and support that C++ offers, limiting its functionality to more basic file and command manipulation tasks.
Portability: C++ code is typically compiled into machine code specific to the target platform, necessitating recompilation for different architectures. In contrast, Zsh scripts can be executed on any system with a Z shell interpreter installed, making them highly portable and versatile across different operating systems without the need for recompilation.
In summary, C++ and Zsh differ significantly in their syntax complexity, typing system, usage, performance, modularity, and portability.
As a personal research project I wanted to add post-quantum crypto KEM (key encapsulation) algorithms and new symmetric crypto session algorithms to openssh. I found the openssh code and its channel/context management extremely complex.
Concurrently, I was learning Go. It occurred to me that Go's excellent standard library, including crypto libraries, plus its much safer memory model and string/buffer handling would be better suited to a secure remote shell solution. So I started from scratch, writing a clean-room Go-based solution, without regard for ssh compatibility. Interactive and token-based login, secure copy and tunnels.
Of course, it needs a proper security audit for side channel attacks, protocol vulnerabilities and so on -- but I was impressed by how much simpler a client-server application with crypto and complex terminal handling was in Go.
$ sloc openssh-portable Languages Files Code Comment Blank Total CodeLns Total 502 112982 14327 15705 143014 100.0% C 389 105938 13349 14416 133703 93.5% Shell 92 6118 937 1129 8184 5.7% Make 16 468 37 131 636 0.4% AWK 1 363 0 7 370 0.3% C++ 3 79 4 18 101 0.1% Conf 1 16 0 4 20 0.0% $ sloc xs Languages Files Code Comment Blank Total CodeLns Total 34 3658 1231 655 5544 100.0% Go 19 3230 1199 507 4936 89.0% Markdown 2 181 0 76 257 4.6% Make 7 148 4 50 202 3.6% YAML 1 39 0 5 44 0.8% Text 1 30 0 7 37 0.7% Modula 1 16 0 2 18 0.3% Shell 3 14 28 8 50 0.9%
Pros of C++
- Performance200
- Control over memory allocation106
- Cross-platform97
- Fast95
- Object oriented84
- Industry standard57
- Smart pointers47
- Templates37
- Gui toolkits16
- Raii16
- Generic programming13
- Control13
- Flexibility13
- Metaprogramming11
- Hardcore9
- Simple5
- Full-fledged containers/collections API5
- Many large libraries5
- Performant multi-paradigm language4
- Large number of Libraries4
- Way too complicated3
- Close to Reality1
- Plenty of useful features1
Pros of Zsh (Z shell)
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Cons of C++
- Slow compilation8
- Unsafe8
- Over-complicated6
- Fragile ABI6
- No standard/mainstream dependency management5
- Templates mess with compilation units4
- Too low level for most tasks3
- Compile time features are a mess1
- Template metaprogramming is insane1
- Segfaults1
- Unreal engine1