Pros of polybar

• More active development with frequent updates and contributions
• Extensive documentation and user guide
• Highly customizable with a wide range of built-in modules

Cons of polybar

• Steeper learning curve for configuration
• Requires more system resources compared to lightweight alternatives

Code comparison

Polybar configuration example:

[bar/mybar]
modules-left = i3
modules-center = date
modules-right = cpu memory

Lain configuration example:

local lain = require("lain")
local cpu = lain.widget.cpu()
local mem = lain.widget.mem()

Key differences

• Polybar is a standalone status bar, while Lain is a widget library for the Awesome window manager
• Polybar uses a custom configuration syntax, whereas Lain uses Lua for configuration
• Polybar offers more out-of-the-box functionality, while Lain provides more flexibility within the Awesome ecosystem

Use cases

• Choose Polybar for a feature-rich, standalone status bar that works with various window managers
• Opt for Lain if you're using Awesome window manager and prefer a lightweight, integrated solution

Both projects have their merits, and the choice depends on your specific needs and preferred window manager environment.

Pros of eww

• Written in Rust, offering better performance and memory safety
• More flexible and customizable, allowing for complex widgets and layouts
• Supports multiple window managers and desktop environments

Cons of eww

• Steeper learning curve due to its more complex configuration system
• Less integrated with specific window managers like Awesome WM

Code comparison

lain (Lua):

local cpu = lain.widget.cpu({
    settings = function()
        widget:set_markup("CPU " .. cpu_now.usage .. "%")
    end
})

eww (YUCK):

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

Summary

eww is a more modern and flexible widget system written in Rust, offering better performance and customization options. It supports multiple window managers but has a steeper learning curve. lain is specifically designed for Awesome WM, providing tighter integration and easier setup for that environment. The code comparison shows the different approaches: lain uses Lua callbacks, while eww uses a declarative XML-like syntax called YUCK.

Pros of awesome-copycats

• Provides a collection of ready-to-use themes for AwesomeWM
• Includes multiple complete configurations for different styles
• Easier to set up and customize for users new to AwesomeWM

Cons of awesome-copycats

• Less flexible for advanced users who want to build custom layouts
• May include unnecessary components for users seeking minimal setups
• Potentially higher resource usage due to pre-configured widgets

Code Comparison

awesome-copycats (theme configuration):

local theme = {}
theme.font = "sans 8"
theme.bg_normal = "#222222"
theme.fg_normal = "#aaaaaa"
theme.bg_focus  = "#535d6c"

lain (widget creation):

local cpu = lain.widget.cpu {
    settings = function()
        widget:set_markup("CPU " .. cpu_now.usage .. "%")
    end
}

Summary

awesome-copycats offers a collection of pre-configured themes for AwesomeWM, making it easier for new users to set up attractive desktop environments. However, it may be less flexible for advanced users who prefer building custom layouts.

lain, on the other hand, provides a library of widgets and utilities that can be used to create custom configurations. It offers more flexibility but requires more effort to set up a complete desktop environment.

Choose awesome-copycats for quick, attractive setups, or lain for building highly customized AwesomeWM configurations.

Pros of dotfiles

• Comprehensive collection of dotfiles for various applications and tools
• Aesthetically pleasing and customizable configurations
• Includes custom scripts and themes for enhanced functionality

Cons of dotfiles

• Primarily focused on personal configurations, may require more adaptation for general use
• Less specialized in AwesomeWM extensions compared to lain
• May have a steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with the specific tools and configurations

Code Comparison

lain (widget creation):

local mywidget = lain.widget.calendar({
    attach_to = { mytextclock },
    notification_preset = {
        font = "Monospace 10",
        fg   = "#FFFFFF",
        bg   = "#000000"
    }
})

dotfiles (AwesomeWM configuration):

local calendar_widget = require("awesome-wm-widgets.calendar-widget.calendar")
local cw = calendar_widget({
    theme = 'nord',
    placement = 'top_right',
    start_sunday = true,
    radius = 8,
})
mytextclock:connect_signal("button::press", 
    function(_, _, _, button)
        if button == 1 then cw.toggle() end
    end)

The code comparison shows that lain focuses on providing widgets and extensions for AwesomeWM, while dotfiles includes more general configurations and customizations for various tools, including AwesomeWM.