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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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

Decisions about C++ and Zsh (Z shell)
Russtopia Labs
Sr. Doodad Imagineer at Russtopia Labs · | 0 upvote · 194.9K views

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%

https://gogs.blitter.com/RLabs/xs

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Pros of C++
Pros of Zsh (Z shell)
  • 200
    Performance
  • 106
    Control over memory allocation
  • 97
    Cross-platform
  • 95
    Fast
  • 84
    Object oriented
  • 57
    Industry standard
  • 47
    Smart pointers
  • 37
    Templates
  • 16
    Gui toolkits
  • 16
    Raii
  • 13
    Generic programming
  • 13
    Control
  • 13
    Flexibility
  • 11
    Metaprogramming
  • 9
    Hardcore
  • 5
    Simple
  • 5
    Full-fledged containers/collections API
  • 5
    Many large libraries
  • 4
    Performant multi-paradigm language
  • 4
    Large number of Libraries
  • 3
    Way too complicated
  • 1
    Close to Reality
  • 1
    Plenty of useful features
    Be the first to leave a pro

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    Cons of C++
    Cons of Zsh (Z shell)
    • 8
      Slow compilation
    • 8
      Unsafe
    • 6
      Over-complicated
    • 6
      Fragile ABI
    • 5
      No standard/mainstream dependency management
    • 4
      Templates mess with compilation units
    • 3
      Too low level for most tasks
    • 1
      Compile time features are a mess
    • 1
      Template metaprogramming is insane
    • 1
      Segfaults
    • 1
      Unreal engine
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      - No public GitHub repository available -

      What is C++?

      C++ compiles directly to a machine's native code, allowing it to be one of the fastest languages in the world, if optimized.

      What is Zsh (Z shell)?

      An interactive login shell, command interpreter and scripting language.

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      What companies use C++?
      What companies use Zsh (Z shell)?
      See which teams inside your own company are using C++ or Zsh (Z shell).
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