this post was submitted on 29 Jan 2026
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Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Bash is 10-16KB of ram, dash is 3-5KB of ram. Does it really matter at that point?
The question is what does OP mean by 'heavy'and what benefit do they hope to get from a 'lighter' shell. Memory or performance seems inconsequential in this case, but how about attack surface? Is there some benefit from a security standpoint of running a simpler shell?
RAM doesn't matter for me. Smaller code base is reducing attack surface for sure.
I could imagine an it would matter more to people working with embedded devices.
Also some people just like learning or doing random things. Nothing wrong with some exploration, discovery or learning.
That's why I'm asking that question :) A lot of discussions are on Reddit and I hate Reddit so to avoid using it I'm asking here.