Cygwin for Windows

User Reviews

• Careful - 1.7.9 is last version that works with emacs

  zortsJanuary 4, 2013

  Pros

  I've been using cygwin for years to provide the Unix tools I know and love on Windows. In particular, I run bash in an emacs shell. Great tool set.

  Cons

  AFAIK, 1.7.9 is the last version that plays well with emacs shell buffers. Newer versions have some problem with signal handling, such that CTRL-C no longer works. Look for the older version if you want to run bash in a shell buffer.

  Summary

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• Works great.

  M-C-123May 8, 2012

  Pros

  Great UNIX shell for Windows.

  Cons

  Could have been easier to install.

  Summary

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• Best Unix-like environment on Windows

  timho123July 31, 2011

  Pros

  Good for someone to prepare Unix command on Windows

  Cons

  It is difficult to locate packages you need without doing exact search

  Summary

  It depends on the version of the Unix, some commands may work on Cygwin, but not on the Unix and vice verse.

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• It is what it says, no more, no less.

  TisiphneApril 8, 2010

  Pros

  It gives you the ability to run basic Linux-based scripts and programs on your Windows computer. It also provides the ability to use a Linux style interface instead of the Windows command prompt - including basic commands, if desired.

  Cons

  Prone to freezing and crashing, an odd selection of commands don't work, and it's an obscure solution in the day of cheap RAM and VirtualBox / VMWare.

  Summary

  If you can use a Linux VM, use it. Its more efficient, crashes less, and has full functionality. If you're just running one or two scripts, or writing your own, or there is no way you can use a Linux live CD or Virtual Machine, this is an alternative - the inverse of Wine, after a fashion (and it works about as reliably). Its free, so its absolutely worth a try if you are looking for this sort of solution.

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• Fundamentally flawed concept

  jbartasFebruary 8, 2010

  Pros

  None that I know of

  Cons

  - Fundamentally flawed concept - It never goes away

  Summary

  As a computer consultant, certain clients have forced me to use Cygwin on & off for decades. It's main idea is to put a layer of Unix-like software on MS-Windows, sort of like pouring chocolate syrup on a cow pie. It may smell all Unixy-chocolatty, but underneath it's still just Windows. Cygwin is kept alive by Unix (and more recently Linux) bigots who are forced to work on Windows and don't want to learn it. Within limits, Cygwin allows their favorite Linux tools to work in Windows. The problem is the oddball corner cases where you just can't hide the difference make more trouble than the system is worth. One recent example I had was a large build script on which failed on Cygwin. It was fixed by the console command "rename makefile makefile". This should do nothing, but since Linux file names are case sensitive and Windows is not, this will rename "Makefile" to "makefile" (lower case m) and make the script work. Minor nits like this can eat days of your time. There are better ways to handle this. Cygwin is not worth the pain. Other problems with Cygwin are the size (~2 Gigs - three times bigger than an Ubuntu CD!!!), and the many hours to download and install, even over a T1 line. When you need to run Linux software on windows, It's much better to use a Virtual machine, like VMware and Sun Virtual Box to run Fedora. Share a drive, use "putty 127.1" to make a windows console on the Linux box, and you can do ANYTHING Cygwin can and much more, with all the reliability and features of Real Linux. The only reason to use Cygwin is if some Luddite client, partner or boss forces you to. When this happens, make sure you charge them extra.

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• Great help in reviewing.

  Marshall NolanJanuary 20, 2009

  Pros

  Able to get practice in and actually develope some scripts nicely.

  Cons

  Wish I could do more with some of the features not supported.

  Summary

  Great product and the price is right!

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• baoningJuly 26, 2008

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

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• Fast, accurate, well written bash emulator... WONDERFUL!!

  January 15, 2008

  Pros

  Relieves me (and my files) from moving between platforms and frustration. Gives you full control on what you do (unlike Windows), just like any UNIX shell.

  Cons

  I wish it had the C shell and/or the K shell for more versatility.

  Summary

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• feeling good to use cygwin

  puneeth gowdaNovember 7, 2007

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

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• Excellent Develoment Tool

  AmnonApril 27, 2006

  Pros

  This is an excellent tool for developing *nix applications while still running Windows. It feels just like working on a real unix shell.

  Cons

  The installer could have been simplified more - You have to know exactly what you need to get it. But then again, don't judge a program by its installer :P

  Summary

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