# Understanding Shells: A Basic Guide

## **Introduction**

In computing, a shell is a user interface that provides access to various services of an operating system's kernel. Shells can be either graphical or command-line based, with the latter being prevalent in Unix-like systems, including macOS and Linux.

## **List of Common Shells**

Shells come in various forms and serve multiple purposes, from simple command execution to full scripting capabilities. Here are some of the most commonly used shells:

1. **Bash (Bourne Again Shell)** - The most widespread shell on Linux systems and older macOS versions. It is an enhanced version of the original Bourne shell (`sh`).
    
2. **Zsh (Z Shell)** - Known for its improvements over Bash, offering better user customization, completion features, and scripting facilities. Zsh is the default shell in newer versions of macOS.
    

## **How to Check Your Shell on macOS**

### **Using Terminal Commands**

* **Step 1**: Open your Terminal application. This can typically be found in the Utilities folder under Applications.
    
* **Step 2**: To find out the default shell, type the following command and press Enter:
    
    ```swift
    echo $SHELL
    ```
    
    ## **Conclusion**
    
    Knowing how to check and change your default shell is a valuable skill in the Unix-like operating system domain.