Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

dwm VS nnn

Compare dwm VS nnn and see what are their differences

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dwm logo dwm

dwm is a dynamic window manager for X. It manages windows in tiled, monocle and floating layouts. All of the layouts can be applied dynamically, optimising the environment for the application in use and the task performed.

nnn logo nnn

Fast and resource-sensitive file manager for the terminal
  • dwm Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-12
  • nnn Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-06

dwm features and specs

  • Lightweight
    dwm is extremely lightweight, resulting in minimal use of system resources. It is designed to have no unnecessary bloat, making it suitable for older hardware or low-spec systems.
  • Customizable
    dwm is highly customizable, with the configuration being done through editing the C source code. This allows for deep customization to meet specific user preferences.
  • Simplicity
    The software is designed with simplicity in mind. It has a straightforward design and a gentle learning curve for users familiar with tiling window managers.
  • Tiling Window Management
    dwm automatically arranges windows in a tiling format, which can help improve productivity by making better use of screen real estate and reducing the need to manually arrange windows.
  • Community Support
    A robust community following and good documentation provide ample support for troubleshooting and extending dwm. Many patches and tips are shared among users.

Possible disadvantages of dwm

  • Steep Initial Learning Curve
    For users not familiar with tiling window managers or who are used to traditional desktop environments, the initial setup and usage might be challenging.
  • Manual Compilation for Configuration
    Configuration changes require editing the source code and recompiling the window manager. This can be inconvenient for users who prefer a dynamic configuration option.
  • Limited Out-of-the-Box Functionality
    dwm does not come with many features available in other window managers by default. Users might need to apply patches or write custom scripts to get additional functionality.
  • Fewer Graphical Tools
    Since dwm focuses on simplicity and minimalism, it lacks graphical configuration tools, which might deter non-technical users or those who prefer GUI-based management.
  • Compatibility
    Some applications may not play well with dwm's tiling mechanism, requiring additional configuration or even the use of floating mode for specific apps.

nnn features and specs

  • Lightweight
    nnn is incredibly lightweight, with a minimal memory footprint, making it ideal for use on older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Fast
    Due to its lightweight nature and efficient coding, nnn offers very fast performance even when navigating large filesystems.
  • Terminal-based
    As a terminal-based file manager, nnn can be used over SSH and integrates well with other terminal utilities and workflows.
  • Feature-rich
    Despite its small size, nnn is packed with features including file previews, batch rename, file type filters, and plugin support.
  • Customizable
    nnn is highly customizable through plugins and user scripts, allowing users to tailor the file manager to their needs.
  • Cross-platform
    nnn works on various Unix-like systems including Linux, macOS, and BSD, as well as on Windows through WSL.
  • Extensible
    The plugin system allows users to extend its functionalities easily by adding new scripts and integrations.

Possible disadvantages of nnn

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Users unfamiliar with terminal-based applications may find nnn challenging to learn and get accustomed to.
  • Limited GUI
    As a terminal-based file manager, nnn lacks a graphical user interface, which might be a drawback for users who prefer GUI-based navigation.
  • Basic Default Configurations
    Out of the box, the default configurations might be too basic for some users, requiring additional setup and customization.
  • Dependency on Terminal
    Being a terminal application, nnn requires a terminal emulator, which may not be preferred by users who are not comfortable in a terminal environment.

Analysis of dwm

Overall verdict

  • dwm is considered a good choice for users who value performance, simplicity, and customizability. However, it might not be suitable for everyone due to its steep learning curve and the requirement to modify its source code for customization.

Why this product is good

  • dwm (dynamic window manager) is known for its minimalistic design and efficient use of system resources. It is highly customizable through its source code, allowing users to tailor it to their needs. Being a product of the suckless community, it adheres to simplicity and clarity in its design philosophy, making it a favorite among users who prefer a no-frills, elegant solution to window management.

Recommended for

    dwm is recommended for advanced users, programmers, and those who enjoy configuring software from the ground up. It's suitable for people who appreciate minimalism and have experience or a willingness to delve into coding and patching to achieve their desired setup.

Analysis of nnn

Overall verdict

  • Yes, GitHub is a reputable and valuable resource for developers. It is widely used across the industry for its robust features and community engagement.

Why this product is good

  • GitHub, referred to as 'nnn' in your query, is considered a good platform because it provides tools for version control, collaboration, and code management, supporting a vast number of programming languages and development workflows. It hosts millions of projects and is a hub for developers worldwide. The platform also integrates with numerous development tools, platforms, and services to enhance productivity and streamline project management.

Recommended for

  • Software developers seeking version control and collaboration tools.
  • Open-source contributors or maintainers looking to host their projects.
  • Development teams that require a centralized platform for code management and issue tracking.
  • Beginner programmers who want to explore open-source projects and learn from community contributions.
  • Organizations that need to manage private repositories with secure access permissions.

dwm videos

dwm (suckless) - why I prefer it to i3 [ricing FreeBSD & OpenBSD]

More videos:

  • Review - Super MINIMALIST tiling window manager - dwm
  • Review - Suckless's dwm: So easy even a caveman could do it!

nnn videos

RGV's Naked Nanga Nagnam Response | Ram Gopal Varma | #NNN | #RGV | Cinemapicha

More videos:

  • Review - Star Kids Are part Of Fanism | RGV New Movie NNN Need Review? | Mahesh Babu | Mr. B
  • Review - Naked Nanga Nagnam Movie Review Telugu | Ram Gopal Varma | #NNN | Latest Movies | Sarvesh Tv

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to dwm and nnn)
Linux
100 100%
0% 0
FTP Client
0 0%
100% 100
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0
File Manager
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare dwm and nnn

dwm Reviews

Top 13 Best Tiling Window Managers For Linux In 2022
Spectrwm is a fast, compact, and brief reparenting and tiling window manager for X11 that is inspired by xmonad and dwm. It was created to address the problems that xmonad and dwm have. Also check Fulfillify alternatives
Source: www.hubtech.org
13 Best Tiling Window Managers for Linux
spectrwm is a small, dynamic, xmonad, and dwm-inspired reparenting and tiling window manager built for X11 to be fast, compact, and concise. It was created with the aim of solving the issues of xmonad and dwm face.
Source: www.tecmint.com
5 Great Tiling Window Managers for Linux
DWM is, well, a dynamic window manager. Tiling isn’t the only way you can manage your windows. It’s also possible to lay the windows out in a floating or monocle style. All modifications to DWM can be done within its source code. Easy keyboard shortcuts allow for a great navigation experience while managing windows.

nnn Reviews

We have no reviews of nnn yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

nnn might be a bit more popular than dwm. We know about 76 links to it since March 2021 and only 67 links to dwm. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

dwm mentions (67)

  • The Future Is Niri
    Hm, I am using [dwm](https://dwm.suckless.org/) with a custom keybinding to shift to the left or right workspace. That seems similar enough, other than the fact that changing the split ratio will affect all workspaces on dwm while on Niri it most likely will not ... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Shifted 3 Shapes – Making a w3M Logo
    I associate this style with the suckless foundation, even though it is distinct from e.g. The dwm logo. https://dwm.suckless.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • AT&T says criminals stole phone records of 'nearly all' customers in data breach
    Https://dwm.suckless.org/ > This keeps its userbase small and elitist.. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Tinygrad 0.9.0
    The only one I can think of the dwm window manager (https://dwm.suckless.org/), that used to prominently mention a SLOC limit of 2000. Doesn't seem to be mentioned in the landing page anymore, not sure if it's still in effect. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Show HN: Hancho – A simple and pleasant build system in ~500 lines of Python
    This is sort of the suckless approach. Most (all?) of their projects are customized by editing the source and recompiling. From their window manager, dwm: dwm is customized through editing its source code, which makes it extremely fast and secure - it does not process any input data which isn't known at compile time, except window titles and status text read from the root window's name. You don't have to learn... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
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nnn mentions (76)

  • Shunpo: Minimalist bash tool to make directory navigation a little bit faster
    I use https://github.com/jarun/nnn/ with `cd` on quit if I need to scan around manually. Otherwise, zoxide. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Directory navigation on Helix
    If you want a file full browser experience choose nnn: https://github.com/jarun/nnn . If you have a desktop file for Helix you can use the Gnome Files program to make all your programming language files open in Helix. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Antonmedv/walk: Terminal file manager
    Nnn [1] seems like a more advanced tool (directory management, copying, renaming, packing/unpacking) and pluggable. [1] https://github.com/jarun/nnn. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Terminal file manager nnn v4.8 released
    In case you haven't come across nnn earlier, it is a tiny full-featured terminal file manager written for performance and productivity - https://github.com/jarun/nnn. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Best way to create a new file from within helix?
    Another option is to create a file in the command line, but quitting from the editor can be a bit of a hassle. So, what we can do is split the screen with tmux or zellij. Use a file manager if you prefer visual. Personally use nnn. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing dwm and nnn, you can also consider the following products

i3 - A dynamic tiling window manager designed for X11, inspired by wmii, and written in C.

lf (file manager) - Terminal file manager written in Go (programming language).

bspwm - A tiling window manager based on binary space partitioning

Midnight Commander - GNU Midnight Commander is a visual file manager, licensed under GNU General Public License and...

awesome - A dynamic window manager for the X Window System developed in the C and Lua programming languages.

Krusader - Krusader is an advanced twin panel (commander style) file manager for KDE and other desktops in the *nix world, similar to Midnight or Total Commander.‎Get your copy of the Krusader .