Q: What is the difference between dash and Bash?

A: Dash is a smaller, faster shell designed for POSIX compliance, making it ideal for system scripts and init systems. Bash, on the other hand, is more feature-rich and user-friendly but larger and slower.

Q: Why is dash used in Debian and Ubuntu?

A: Dash is used as the default shell for system scripts and init systems in Debian and Ubuntu due to its lightweight nature and strict POSIX compliance, ensuring reliability and consistency.

Q: How does dash compare to other shells like Zsh or Fish?

A: Dash is a minimalist shell focused on POSIX compliance and performance, whereas Zsh and Fish are more feature-rich and interactive, catering to user convenience rather than system efficiency.

Q: Is dash compatible with Bash scripts?

A: Dash is mostly compatible with Bash scripts, but it may behave differently due to POSIX compliance. Some scripts may need adjustments to work correctly.

Q: How can I install dash on my system?

A: Dash is available in most package managers. For example, on Debian-based systems, you can install it with `sudo apt install dash`.

Debian Almquist shell

smaller version of Bash aiming for POSIX compliance

CreativeWork unix_shell Q1144911

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Debian Almquist shell

Summary

Debian Almquist shell is an Unix shell^[1]. It draws 29 Wikipedia views per month (unix_shell category, ranking #9 of 11).^[2]

Key Facts

Debian Almquist shell's instance of is recorded as Unix shell^[3].
Debian Almquist shell's instance of is recorded as free software^[4].
Debian Almquist shell's copyright license is recorded as BSD licenses^[5].
Debian Almquist shell's programmed in is recorded as Q15777^[6].
Debian Almquist shell's operating system is recorded as Unix-like operating system^[7].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.5.8^[8].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.5.9.1^[9].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.5.10.2^[10].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.5.11^[11].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.5.11.1^[12].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.26^[13].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.25^[14].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.24^[15].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.23^[16].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.22^[17].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.21^[18].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.20^[19].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.19^[20].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.18^[21].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.17^[22].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.16^[23].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.15^[24].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.14^[25].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.13^[26].
Debian Almquist shell's software version identifier is recorded as 0.4.12^[27].

Why It Matters

Debian Almquist shell draws 29 Wikipedia views per month (unix_shell category, ranking #9 of 11).^[2] It has Wikipedia articles in 11 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.^[28] It is known by 7 alternative names across languages and contexts.^[29]

⭐ Popularity Graph

1/100 established

🌐 Wiki Languages

13 / 423 langs

📈 Wikipedia Views · last 82h

80/mo 123/yr

📊 Google Search Volume

10/mo Commercial

Quick Facts

Instance of Unix shell, free software

Official website gondor.apana.org.au

Short name dash

Properties

Different from Dash

Inspired by Almquist shell

Mailing list archive url www.spinics.net, www.mail-archive.com

Operating system Unix-like operating system

Programmed in C (programming language)

Software version identifier 0.5.8, 0.5.9.1, 0.5.10.2, 0.5.11, 0.5.11.1, 0.4.26, 0.4.25, 0.4.24, 0.4.23, 0.4.22, 0.4.21, 0.4.20, 0.4.19, 0.4.18, 0.4.17, 0.4.16, 0.4.15, 0.4.14, 0.4.13, 0.4.12, 0.4.11, 0.4.10, 0.4.9, 0.4.8, 0.4.7, 0.4.6, 0.4.5, 0.4.4, 0.4.3, 0.4.2, 0.4.1, 0.3.8-38, 0.3.8-37, 0.3.8-36, 0.3.8-35, 0.3.8-34, 0.3.8-33, 0.3.8-32, 0.3.8-31, 0.3.8-30, 0.3.8-29, 0.3.8-28, 0.3.8-27, 0.3.8-26, 0.3.8-25, 0.3.8-24, 0.3.8-23, 0.3.8-22, 0.3.8-21, 0.3.8-20, 0.3.8-19, 0.3.8-18, 0.3.8-17, 0.3.8-16, 0.3.8-15, 0.3.8-14, 0.3.8-13, 0.3.8-12, 0.3.8-11, 0.3.8-10, 0.3.8-9, 0.3.8-8, 0.3.8-7, 0.3.8-6, 0.3.8-5, 0.3.8-4, 0.3.8-3, 0.3.8-2, 0.3.8-1, 0.3.7-16, 0.3.7-15, 0.3.7-14, 0.3.7-13, 0.3.7-12, 0.3.7-11, 0.3.7-10, 0.3.7-9, 0.3.7-8, 0.3.7-7, 0.3.7-6, 0.3.7-5, 0.3.7-4, 0.3.7-3, 0.3.7-2, 0.3.7-1, 0.3.6-5, 0.3.6-4, 0.3.6-3, 0.3.6-2, 0.3.6-1, 0.3.5-10, 0.3.5-9, 0.3.5-8, 0.3.5-7, 0.3.5-6, 0.3.5-5, 0.3.5-4, 0.3.5-3, 0.3.5-2, 0.3.5-1, 0.3.4-7, 0.3.4-6, 0.3.4-5, 0.3.4-4, 0.3.4-3, 0.3.4-2, 0.3.4-1, 0.3.2-5, 0.3.2-4, 0.3.2-3, 0.3.2-2, 0.3.2-1, 0.3.1-20, 0.3.1-19, 0.3.1-18, 0.3.1-17, 0.3.1-16, 0.3.1-15, 0.3.1-14, 0.3.1-13, 0.3.1-12, 0.3.1-11, 0.3.1-10, 0.3.1-9, 0.3.1-8, 0.3.1-7, 0.3.1-6, 0.3.1-5, 0.3.1-4, 0.3.1-3, 0.3.1-2, 0.3.1-1, 0.3-1, 0.5.1, 0.5.11.3, 0.5.11.4, 0.5.11.5, 0.5.12, 0.5.13.4

Source code repository url git.kernel.org

Stack exchange tag unix.stackexchange.com, stackoverflow.com, superuser.com

📊 Search Metrics

Competition 0.00

External References (17)

Alpine linux package dash

Arch linux package dash

Archwiki article Dash

Aur package dash-git, dash-cli, dash-qt, dash-daemon, dash-static-musl, dash-static

Debian stable package dash

Fedora package dash

Freebase id /m/0gfvt5

Freebsd port shells/dash

Gentoo package app-shells/dash

Gentoo wiki article Dash

Homebrew formula name dash

Man page dash.1

Netbsd package id shells/dash

Open hub id dash

Openbsd port shells/dash

Repology project name dash-shell

Ubuntu package dash

🌐 Available in 11 languages

enDebian Almquist shell csDebian Almquist shell deDebian Almquist Shell elΚέλυφος Almquist του Debian esDebian Almquist Shell frDebian Almquist shell itDebian Almquist shell jaDebian Almquist shell plDash ruDebian Almquist shell zhDebian Almquist shell

🏷️ Also known as

en dash cs dash de dash it dash ja dash ru Dash zh Dash

🔗 Connections

Instance of 2

free software, Unix shell

BSD licenses

Different from 1

Dash

Inspired by 1

Almquist shell

Operating system 1

Unix-like operating system

← Derivative work 1

Almquist shell

References

Programmatic citations — every numbered marker resolves to a verifiable graph row below.

📑 Cite this page

Use these citations when quoting this entity in research, articles, AI prompts, or wherever provenance matters. We aggregate Wikidata + Wikipedia + authoritative open-data sources; the stitched, scored, cross-referenced view is what 4ort.xyz contributes.

APA

4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph. (2026). Debian Almquist shell. Retrieved May 3, 2026, from https://4ort.xyz/entity/debian-almquist-shell

MLA

“Debian Almquist shell.” 4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph, 4ort.xyz, 3 May. 2026, https://4ort.xyz/entity/debian-almquist-shell.

BibTeX

@misc{4ortxyz_debian-almquist-shell_2026, author = {{4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph}}, title = {{Debian Almquist shell}}, year = {2026}, url = {https://4ort.xyz/entity/debian-almquist-shell}, note = {Accessed: 2026-05-03}}

LLM prompt

According to 4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph (aggregator of Wikidata, Wikipedia, and authoritative open-data sources): Debian Almquist shell — https://4ort.xyz/entity/debian-almquist-shell (retrieved 2026-05-03)

Canonical URL: https://4ort.xyz/entity/debian-almquist-shell · Last refreshed: May 3, 2026

Edit History

Rolling log of changes to this entity's Wikidata record. Values shown reflect the current state of each edited property — follow the history link to see the precise diff for any edit.

10d ago · Dexxor · 2026-05-10 view diff on Wikidata ↗

Fedora package → —

Repology project name → dash-shell

Gentoo package → —

Image → —

+ 59 other properties edited (see Wikidata diff for full list)

"/* wbsetclaim-create:2||1 */ [[Property:P348]]: 0.5.13.4"

Live feed via Wikidata EventStreams. New edits appear within minutes of being made on Wikidata.

Debian Almquist shell

Debian Almquist shell

Summary

Key Facts

Why It Matters

Related Entities

References

Direct Wikidata claims

Class ancestry

Aggregate / graph-position facts

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