Difference Between PuTTY and Cygwin

PuTTY vs Cygwin

PuTTY is a terminal emulator. A Terminal emulator is a software program, also referred to as a terminal application ( in short TTY). PuTTY is an open source emulator and its free. The terminal emulator basically emulates, within display architecture, a video terminal. PuTTY is an application which is used for Telnet, SSH, client, raw TCP and rlogin protocols. It is also used as a “serial console” client.TTY stands for Teletype.

Originally PuTTY was developed for Microsoft Windows , but it is now being used for other operating systems. Some official ports available are for Unix like systems, Mac OS, Mac OSX. Some unofficial ports available are for Symbian and platforms like Windows Mobile.

PuTTy is abeta software and is maintained and was written by Simon Tatham.

Cygwin

Cygwin is a command line interface with Unix-like environment for Microsoft Windows. It provides integration of data; windows based applications and system resources with Unix-like environment, software tools and applications. Cygwin helps in launching Windows applications for The Cygwin environment. It is also possible to use Cygwin tools from within Windows operating system.

Cygwin has two parts; DLL, dynamic-link library and extensive software tools collection and applications. Cygnus Solutions originally developed Cygwin but was acquired by Red Hat later. Like PuTTY it Is also free and an open source software. Cygwin was released under General Public License. It is maintained by many volunteers, Netapp and red Hat employees.

Summary

1. PuTTy is a terminal emulator. The terminal emulator basically emulates within display architecture, a video terminal.  Cygwin is not a terminal emulator or it doesn’t have terminal emulator. Cygwin is a command line interface with Unix-like environment for Microsoft Window.
2. PuTTY is an application which is used for Telnet, SSH, client, raw TCP and rlogin protocols. It is also used as “serial console” client.TTY stands for Teletype; Cygwin helps in launching Windows applications for The Cygwin environment. It is also possible to use Cygwin tools from within Windows operating system.
3. PuTTY was written for Microsoft Windows but it is being used now for other operating systems. Cygnus Solutions originally developed Cygwin but were acquired by Red Hat later.
4. Some official ports available are for Unix like systems- Mac OS, Mac OSX. Some unofficial ports available are for Symbian and platforms like windows Mobile; Cygwin has two parts; DLL, dynamic-link library and extensive software tools collection and applications.
5. PuTTy is beta software, and is maintained and was written by Simon Tatham. Cygwin was released under General Public License. It is maintained by many volunteers, Netapp and red Hat employees.

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