Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

fd VS explainshell

Compare fd VS explainshell and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

fd logo fd

A simple, fast and user-friendly alternative to 'find'.

explainshell logo explainshell

Match command-line arguments to their help.
  • fd Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-18
  • explainshell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-07

fd features and specs

  • Speed
    fd is optimized for speed and can outperform traditional tools like find due to its use of parallelism and optimized algorithms.
  • Ease of Use
    fd has a simpler and more user-friendly syntax compared to find, making it easier to learn and use.
  • Colorized Output
    fd provides colorized output by default, making it easier to differentiate between file types and enhancing readability.
  • Smart Case
    fd enables smart case detection by default, meaning searches are case-insensitive unless the pattern includes an uppercase letter.
  • Defaults to Ignoring Hidden Files
    By default, fd ignores hidden files and directories, as well as files specified in .gitignore, helping to narrow down search results to relevant files.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    fd supports multiple platforms including Linux, macOS, and Windows, making it versatile for different development environments.

Possible disadvantages of fd

  • Dependency on Rust
    fd requires the Rust toolchain to build, which may be inconvenient for environments where installing additional dependencies is restricted.
  • Limited to Modern Features
    fd may not support some legacy systems and older versions of operating systems, limiting its applicability in certain scenarios.
  • Not as Feature-Rich
    While fd is easier to use, it doesn't have all the advanced features and fine-grained control options that find offers.
  • Compatibility
    fdโ€™s simplified syntax and modern features may not be directly compatible with scripts or workflows that depend on find, requiring adjustments for integration.

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.

Analysis of fd

Overall verdict

  • Yes, fd (github.com) is generally considered good, particularly for its speed, ease of use, and modern features that enhance productivity over the traditional 'find' command.

Why this product is good

  • fd is a program for users who need a fast and user-friendly alternative to the traditional 'find' command. It provides a simple syntax, speed improvements by parallelizing search processes, ignores hidden files and directories by default, and offers colorized outputs, making it more intuitive and efficient for everyday use.

Recommended for

    fd is recommended for developers, system administrators, and power users who often search through directories and require a fast, efficient tool with a shorter 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

fd videos

Discmania FD (Fairway Driver) Golf Disc Review

More videos:

  • Review - Honda Civic FD | Review & Tips If you want to own one
  • Review - Regular Car Reviews: 1993 Mazda RX-7 FD

explainshell videos

No explainshell videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to fd and explainshell)
Productivity
57 57%
43% 43
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Mac
0 0%
100% 100
Terminal Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

fd might be a bit more popular than explainshell. We know about 128 links to it since March 2021 and only 113 links to explainshell. 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.

fd mentions (128)

View more

explainshell mentions (113)

  • Show HN: Shellock, a real-time CLI flag explainer for fish shell
    There is https://explainshell.com/ not in terminal but should do the trick. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • 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 year ago
  • Linux for Non-Techies: A Simple Guide to Getting Comfortable
    Explainshell.com (Explains any Linux command). - Source: dev.to / about 1 year 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 / over 1 year ago
  • The bash book to rule them all
    Https://explainshell.com/ also is good for explaining commands. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing fd and explainshell, you can also consider the following products

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The Silver Searcher - A code searching tool similar to ack, with a focus on speed.

crontab guru - The quick and simple editor for cron schedule expressions by Cronitor