CMD or command prompt is the default application of windows to interact with the windows interface system. On the other hand, PowerShell is more of a scripting language that is an advanced version of CMD.
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Windows Powershell vs CMD
Let’s begin differentiating by defining each first.
What is CMD
CMD is an abbreviation for Windows Command Prompt. CMD was used as a shell in the early versions of the Microsoft DOS operating system, and the first version of CMD was released in 1987, 34 years ago today. For Microsoft Windows and a few other operating systems, the command prompt is the default command-line interpreter.
What is PowerShell
When compared to Linux, Microsoft Windows was never seen to be very effective at task automation. It was due to the command prompt’s restricted capability. Powershell is an automated command-line shell that includes all of CMD’s capabilities and functionalities.
Differences Between Windows PowerShell & CMD
There are some major differences between Windows PowerShell & CMD. Let’s take a look at what they are.
Release
The first version of CMD or windows was released around 1987. It was for Microsoft DOS operating system. It was more commonly known as cmd.exe.
On the other hand, PowerShell was first introduced in 2006. In 2002, Microsoft began development on Monad, a new command-line tool. The initial version, dubbed Powershell, was launched in 2006.
Environment
PowerShell is more than simply a book on paper. It is a complete scripting environment that can be used to write strong programs. You may use these scripts to administer various systems in Windows more easily and efficiently. Because of its capacity to develop complicated scripts, most system administrators favor PowerShell.
Command Prompt, on the other hand, is an environment that allows you to run basic DOS commands. They have relatively limited capabilities because they do not have access to the majority of system administration functions. Complex scripts are nearly impossible to write using a command prompt.
Uses
System administrators primarily utilize PowerShell to control the network as well as the computers and applications that are part of that network. It can comprehend both Batch and PowerShell commands or cmdlets effectively.
But CMD can only interpret Batch commands. Command Prompt allows users to engage with computer programs through the use of user-issued commands.
Creating Aliases
PowerShell provides the ability to create aliases for many cmdlets. Aliases allow a user to define their own aliases for various cmdlets or scripts, making it easier for a user to transition between multiple shells. But the command prompt doesn’t allow the users to create aliases of commands.
Interface
The command prompt uses a text-based command-line interface. But the PowerShell has a more interactive graphical user interface for the users to interact with the system.
Output
PowerShell, like Linux, makes use of what are known as Pipes. Pipes establish a conduit that allows you to transport one cmdlet output straight to another. This implies that Pipes enable you to utilize numerous cmdlets to finish constructing a sequence to handle data.
Data manipulation at the command prompt, on the other hand, is caused by a stream of letters or text. This means that PowerShell can process complicated data in the same manner as programming languages can. This is something that a command prompt cannot achieve.
ISE
PowerShell also has an Integrated System Environment (ISE), which makes it simpler to build and debug scripts. Cmd cannot communicate with system objects at the core level, but PowerShell, because it is built on the .net platform, can interact with Windows objects at the core level.
Usability
PowerShell has a Get-help command that will provide the user with a list of all accessible commands, their syntax, and aliases. Cmdlets include Add-Content, Get-Content, and Get-Command. An ordinary user can comprehend what the above cmdlets will do just by glancing at them.
Let’s have a look at some of the cmd commands, such as driver query, cipher, and assoc. The commands are not easily understood by the typical user. Even there isn’t any help option available for the information about commands in CMD.
WMI
Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is the framework that allows data and processes to be managed on Windows-based operating systems. PowerShell can be directly integrated with WMI.
But in the case of Command Prompt, it is not that simple. You need some external plugins for WMI integration.
Libraries
PowerShell is based on .NET and provides access to all libraries. The syntax and language features are also far more comprehensive than those of the command prompt. But there is no such access for programming libraries with Command Prompt.
Linux Support
PowerShell supports Linux systems. You can use it in Linux-based systems, but the command prompt doesn’t support Linux systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is better between PowerShell & CMD?
There isn’t a single command in CMD that isn’t also available in PowerShell, and PowerShell contains cmdlets for every administration activity imaginable. For system administrators & IT professionals, PowerShell clearly provides you with more functionalities.
There are third-party software developers that are extending PowerShell even more due to the huge library.
What is better between PowerShell & Bash?
PowerShell & Bash has more or less the same functionalities with some minor adjustments. f you are managing a Windows environment or using Azure, try sticking with PowerShell. If you are managing a strictly Linux or Unix environment, try sticking with Bash.
Conclusion
From a larger viewpoint, it is preferable to begin learning PowerShell because it is newer than the command prompt and Microsoft is attempting to improve its functionality.
Because Powershell is built on the.net foundation, it has access to several libraries, making it easy to connect to different platforms. Finally, PowerShell is the go-to tool for administrators since it automates a variety of routine operations.
