Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

explainshell VS cheat.sh

Compare explainshell VS cheat.sh and see what are their differences

explainshell logo explainshell

Match command-line arguments to their help.

cheat.sh logo cheat.sh

The only cheat sheet you need Unified access to the best community driven documentation
  • explainshell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-07
  • cheat.sh Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-01

explainshell features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Explainshell provides a clean and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users with different experience levels.
  • Command Line Breakdown
    It breaks down complex command-line statements into simpler parts, explaining each part's function in detail.
  • Educational Tool
    Serves as a great learning resource for beginners and intermediate users who want to understand shell commands in depth.
  • Library of Commands
    Leverages the extensive `man` page collection to provide detailed explanations of a wide variety of commands.
  • Web-Based Accessibility
    Being a web-based tool, it is accessible from any device with an internet connection, without needing any additional software installation.

Possible disadvantages of explainshell

  • Dependency on `man` Pages
    The tool relies on `man` pages for explanations, which might not cover all edge cases or the latest versions of commands.
  • Internet Requirement
    Requires an internet connection to use, limiting its accessibility in offline scenarios.
  • Limited to Shell Commands
    Focused solely on shell commands, it doesn't cover other scripting languages or programming environments.
  • No Live Execution
    Cannot execute commands or provide real-time feedback; it's purely an explanatory tool.
  • Potential Outdated Information
    The explanations might occasionally be based on older versions of `man` pages, potentially missing out on new features or changes.

cheat.sh features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Cheat.sh offers a simple and intuitive interface that allows users to quickly search and retrieve cheat sheets and command references with minimal effort. The commands can be queried directly from the command line or the web interface.
  • Wide Range of Supported Languages and Tools
    It supports a vast array of programming languages and tools, providing users with a comprehensive resource for various coding and scripting needs.
  • Offline Access
    Cheat.sh can be accessed via command-line, which allows users to download cheat sheets for offline use, providing flexibility especially in environments with limited or no internet access.
  • Integration with Editors
    It can be integrated with text editors like Vim and Emacs, which enhances the coding experience by offering quick access to documentation while writing code.
  • Community-Driven Content
    The cheat sheets are community-contributed which means they are continuously updated and improved by users, offering diverse tips and insights.

Possible disadvantages of cheat.sh

  • Limited Customization
    Customization options for output formatting and the display of results are limited, which might not be suitable for users who require more tailored information presentation.
  • Quality Variance
    Since the content is community-driven, the quality and completeness of cheat sheets can vary significantly and may not always meet professional or specific use-case standards.
  • Dependency on Internet for Updates
    Although offline access is possible, accessing the most updated content requires an internet connection, which may not always be feasible for all users.
  • No Interactive Examples
    The platform lacks interactive coding examples, which can be a limitation for users who prefer learning through direct interaction and experimentation within the cheat sheet.
  • Command Line Accessibility Barrier
    For users unfamiliar with command-line interfaces, accessing cheat.sh through the terminal might present a learning curve.

Analysis of explainshell

Overall verdict

  • Explainshell is generally well-regarded and beneficial for users who work with shell commands. It simplifies understanding, reduces errors, and can be an invaluable learning resource.

Why this product is good

  • Explainshell is considered a good tool because it provides detailed explanations of shell commands by breaking them down into individual components and offering descriptions for each part. This can be incredibly helpful for both beginners learning how to use shell commands and experienced users looking to understand complex command structures. The service pulls in documentation from the man pages, making it a reliable and comprehensive resource.

Recommended for

  • Beginners looking to learn shell commands
  • Developers and system administrators who frequently use the command line
  • Anyone seeking to understand complex shell command structures
  • Learners improving their scripting and command-line skills

explainshell videos

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cheat.sh videos

Awesome Linux Tools: cheat.sh

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to explainshell and cheat.sh)
Productivity
57 57%
43% 43
Mac
46 46%
54% 54
Text Expander
46 46%
54% 54
Shortcuts
42 42%
58% 58

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, explainshell should be more popular than cheat.sh. It has been mentiond 112 times since March 2021. 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.

explainshell mentions (112)

  • 15 bash scripts to automate boring DevOps tasks so you can go play Elden Ring instead
    Explainshell paste a bash command and it explains every part. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Linux for Non-Techies: A Simple Guide to Getting Comfortable
    Explainshell.com (Explains any Linux command). - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • If OpenSSL Were a GUI
    I've found this tool handy for faster-than-man explanations of various CLI invocations: https://explainshell.com/ Sadly, it hasn't been updated in years. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • The bash book to rule them all
    Https://explainshell.com/ also is good for explaining commands. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • The bash book to rule them all
    Https://explainshell.com/ can help with that but isn't perfect. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
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cheat.sh mentions (51)

  • Should you add screenshots to documentation?
    Cheat.sh [0] has been a godsend when the man pages are too dense and I just want to use the tool and move on with my life. [0] http://cheat.sh/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • ? - The only cheat sheet you need
    I like what you're doing with this, never used cheat.sh before but had a little look around and great idea :) I've not tested everything, I seen something about find and thought I could help. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Favorite aliases?
    Query http://cheat.sh for help with a command. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Linux Command Line Cheat Sheet: All the Commands You Need
    Try cheat.sh perfect when your in the shell, working. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Intro to PowerShell
    There is also the awesome resource - cheat.sh where you can get info about many programming languages, for example, to get info about PowerShell's Get-ChildItem command you can just issue a command curl cheat.sh/powershell/Get-ChildItem in your terminal or go to https://cht.sh/powershell/Get-ChildItem in your browser and get the following output:. Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing explainshell and cheat.sh, you can also consider the following products

cheat - Cheat allows you to create and view interactive cheatsheets on the command-line.

TLDR pages - The TLDR pages are a community effort to simplify the beloved man pages with practical examples.

regular expressions 101 - Extensive regex tester and debugger with highlighting for PHP, PCRE, Python and JavaScript.

RegExr - RegExr.com is an online tool to learn, build, and test Regular Expressions.

KeyCue - Menu shortcuts are supposed to provide quick access to frequently used menu commands.

Kmdr - Kmdr explains the syntax of CLI commands you select in your browser