Pros of polybar

• More customizable and feature-rich, with a wide range of built-in modules
• Supports multiple bars and advanced theming options
• Has a larger community and more extensive documentation

Cons of polybar

• Written in C++, which may be less accessible for some users to customize
• Can be more resource-intensive, especially with complex configurations
• Steeper learning curve due to its extensive configuration options

Code comparison

i3status-rust configuration:

[[block]]
block = "cpu"
interval = 1
format = "{utilization}% {frequency}GHz"

polybar configuration:

[module/cpu]
type = internal/cpu
interval = 1
format = <label> <ramp-coreload>
label = CPU %percentage%%

Additional notes

i3status-rust is specifically designed for i3 window manager, while polybar is more versatile and can be used with various window managers. i3status-rust is written in Rust, which may offer better performance for simpler configurations. Polybar provides more advanced features like clickable modules and graphical elements, but i3status-rust focuses on simplicity and efficiency.

Pros of Conky

• Highly customizable with extensive theming options
• Supports a wide range of system monitoring features
• Can be used as a standalone desktop widget

Cons of Conky

• Steeper learning curve due to its configuration complexity
• May consume more system resources compared to lighter alternatives
• Less integrated with specific window managers like i3

Code Comparison

Conky configuration (Lua):

conky.config = {
    alignment = 'top_right',
    background = false,
    border_width = 1,
    cpu_avg_samples = 2,
    default_color = 'white',
    double_buffer = true,
}

i3status-rust configuration (TOML):

[theme]
name = "solarized-dark"
[icons]
name = "awesome"

[[block]]
block = "cpu"
interval = 1

While both projects aim to provide system information, Conky offers a more versatile and standalone approach, suitable for various desktop environments. i3status-rust, on the other hand, is specifically designed for use with the i3 window manager, providing a more streamlined and integrated experience for i3 users. Conky's configuration uses Lua, allowing for complex customizations, while i3status-rust uses TOML for a simpler, more structured configuration format.

Pros of i3blocks

• Written in C, potentially offering better performance
• Simpler configuration with a straightforward INI-style format
• Supports a wide range of built-in blocks out of the box

Cons of i3blocks

• Less actively maintained compared to i3status-rust
• Limited customization options without writing custom scripts
• Lacks some advanced features like async updates and click handlers

Code Comparison

i3blocks configuration:

[time]
command=date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S'
interval=1

[battery]
command=acpi -b | awk '{print $4}'
interval=10

i3status-rust configuration:

[[block]]
block = "time"
interval = 1
format = "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S"

[[block]]
block = "battery"
interval = 10
format = "{percentage}%"

Both projects aim to provide status bar information for i3 window manager. i3blocks offers simplicity and performance, while i3status-rust provides more features and customization options. i3status-rust is written in Rust, offering memory safety and modern language features. It also has a more active development community. The choice between the two depends on specific needs, with i3blocks being suitable for basic setups and i3status-rust for more advanced configurations.

Pros of eww

• More flexible and customizable, allowing for complex widgets and layouts
• Supports multiple window managers and desktop environments
• Uses Yuck, a declarative language, for easier configuration

Cons of eww

• Steeper learning curve due to its more complex configuration system
• Potentially higher resource usage for elaborate setups
• Less focused on status bar functionality compared to i3status-rust

Code Comparison

i3status-rust configuration example:

[[block]]
block = "cpu"
interval = 1
format = "{utilization}% {frequency}GHz"

eww configuration example:

(defwidget cpu []
  (box :class "cpu"
       :orientation "h"
       :space-evenly false
    (label :text "${round(EWW_CPU.avg, 0)}%")
    (label :text "${round(EWW_CPU.freq / 1000000, 1)}GHz")))

Summary

i3status-rust is a more straightforward, lightweight status bar for i3 and similar window managers. It's easier to set up but less flexible. eww, on the other hand, offers greater customization and works across various environments, but requires more effort to configure and may consume more resources.