Difference Between Terminal, Bash, CMD, and PowerShell [Explained Simply]

Introduction

Have you ever seen those black windows with blinking cursors where people type strange-looking commands? That’s the command-line world. But wait — is it a Terminal? Bash? CMD? PowerShell?

If you're confused, you’re not alone. Many beginners mix these up.

In this article, we’ll clear the confusion in a simple, relatable way. Think of this like learning the difference between TV, Remote, Netflix, and YouTube — they all work together, but they’re not the same.

Simple Analogy: The TV Example

Let’s use a TV analogy to understand these:

• Terminal = The TV Screen
  It’s the interface that shows you everything. It displays the output of your commands.
• Shell (Bash, CMD, PowerShell) = The Remote Control
  The shell takes your commands (input) and executes them. Different remotes do different things.
• Operating System = The Cable/Internet Provider
  The OS handles how everything connects behind the scenes.

So, when you open the Terminal (TV), you're using a shell (remote) to talk to the system (OS).

1. What is a Terminal?

A Terminal is a program that lets you interact with your computer using text commands instead of clicking on things.

Key Points:

• It's the window or interface where you type commands.
• Terminal itself doesn’t process commands — it runs a shell inside.
• You can run different shells inside one terminal (like Bash, PowerShell, etc.).
• Used in Linux, macOS, and Windows (via Windows Terminal).

2. What is Bash?

Bash stands for Bourne Again Shell — a popular Unix shell used mainly in Linux and macOS.

Key Features:

• Default shell in Ubuntu and most Linux distros.
• Great for writing scripts (automating tasks).
• Uses $ as a prompt.
• Lightweight and powerful.

Example Command in Bash:

ls -l /home/user

Use Case:

Automating backups, running servers, navigating Linux systems.

3. What is CMD? (Command Prompt)

CMD (Command Prompt) is the classic command-line tool in Windows.

Key Features:

• Comes with every version of Windows.
• Uses > as prompt.
• Limited scripting capability (batch files).
• Cannot handle complex automation like Bash or PowerShell.

Example Command in CMD:

dir C:\Users

Use Case:

Simple tasks like file browsing, pinging a website, checking IP, etc.

4. What is PowerShell?

PowerShell is a powerful command-line tool and scripting language developed by Microsoft.

Key Features:

• Uses PS> prompt.
• Returns objects, not just text (super useful for automation).
• Fully integrated with Windows system and services.
• You can do things like manage users, files, and network settings.

Example Command in PowerShell:

Get-Process

Use Case:

Automating Windows tasks, managing systems, working with cloud and .NET.

Comparison: Terminal vs Bash vs CMD vs PowerShell

Here’s how they stack up across key aspects:

Type - What are they?

• Terminal: An interface where you see and type commands.
• Bash: A shell that runs commands.
• CMD: A shell for basic command execution.
• PowerShell: A shell with advanced capabilities.

Operating System - Where do they work?

• Terminal: Works on all systems, mainly Linux and macOS.
• Bash: Runs on Linux and macOS.
• CMD: Exclusive to Windows.
• PowerShell: Designed for Windows.

Prompt Symbol - How do you spot them?

• Terminal: Varies based on the shell inside.
• Bash: Shows a $ symbol.
• CMD: Uses a > symbol.
• PowerShell: Displays PS> as its prompt.

Scripting - Can they automate tasks?

• Terminal: No scripting, just a display tool.
• Bash: Yes, with Bash scripts.
• CMD: Yes, with basic batch files.
• PowerShell: Yes, with powerful PowerShell scripts.

Object Handling - Do they work with objects?

• Terminal: No, just shows text.
• Bash: No, text-based only.
• CMD: No, limited to text output.
• PowerShell: Yes, handles objects for better automation.

Best For - What’s their strength?

• Terminal: Displaying whatever shell you’re using.
• Bash: Linux tasks and scripting.
• CMD: Simple Windows tasks.
• PowerShell: Advanced Windows automation.

Real-Life Scenario:

Let’s say you want to create 100 folders named Folder1 to Folder100.

CMD:

for /L %i in (1,1,100) do mkdir Folder%i

PowerShell:

1..100 | ForEach-Object { New-Item -ItemType Directory -Name "Folder$_" }

Bash:

for i in {1..100}; do mkdir Folder$i; done

See? Different shells, different syntax, but same outcome.

How to Identify Which One You're Using

Look at the prompt symbol to figure it out:

• $ means you’re likely using Bash.
• PS> indicates PowerShell.
• C:\> points to CMD.
• Varies? It’s a Terminal running any shell.

Which One Should You Learn First?

If you use Windows:

• Learn PowerShell (modern, powerful).
• CMD is old — okay to know, but not the future.

If you use Linux or macOS:

• Learn Bash — it’s the default and super useful.

If you plan to work in DevOps, cloud, or IT automation:

• Learn both Bash and PowerShell — you'll need both depending on the platform.

FAQs

1. Q1: Can I use Bash in Windows?
   Yes! You can install WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) to use Bash directly on Windows.
2. Q2: Is PowerShell better than CMD?
   Yes. PowerShell is far more powerful and modern than CMD. CMD is outdated but still available for basic tasks.
3. Q3: Is Terminal the same as Bash?
   No. Terminal is just the interface. Bash is the shell that runs inside it.
4. Q4: Can I run CMD commands in PowerShell?
   Yes, most CMD commands work in PowerShell, but PowerShell also has its own unique syntax and features.
5. Q5: Which is best for automation?
   Windows automation: PowerShell
   Linux/macOS automation: Bash

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between Terminal, Bash, CMD, and PowerShell is crucial for anyone entering the world of development, system administration, or automation.

• Terminal is like your TV screen.
• Bash, CMD, and PowerShell are the remotes — they do the actual job.
• Pick the right one based on your OS and use-case.

Whether you're creating folders, managing servers, or scripting daily tasks, the right shell will save you time and boost your productivity.

Key Takeaways

• Terminal is an interface, not a shell.
• Bash is mostly for Linux/Mac, and great for scripting.
• CMD is simple and outdated, but still used on Windows.
• PowerShell is powerful and ideal for Windows automation.
• Always pick the right tool for the right platform.