Ripgrep is faster than grep, ag, git grep, ucg, pt, sift (2016) (burntsushi.net)

Article summary

The article introduces ripgrep, a new command line search tool that combines the usability of The Silver Searcher with the performance of GNU grep. Ripgrep is fast, cross-platform, and written in Rust, with features such as proper Unicode support, filtering by default, and fewer bugs. The article provides a detailed comparison of ripgrep with other popular code search tools, including grep, ag, git grep, ucg, pt, and sift. Ripgrep is shown to be faster than these tools in various benchmarks.

Main themes

• Ripgrep introduction
• Performance comparison
• Unicode support
• Command line tools
• Search functionality
• Rust programming language

What commenters say

• Ripgrep's default behavior of ignoring files listed in .gitignore is seen as a useful feature by some, but a limitation by others.
• The use of lowercase names for commands and variables is a common convention in programming, but can be confusing for some users.
• Some users have reported issues with ripgrep, including bugs and unexpected behavior, which can erode trust in the tool.
• The ability to customize and extend ripgrep through aliases and flags is seen as a positive aspect of the tool.
• Ripgrep's performance advantages may not be noticeable for small corpora, but are significant for larger datasets.
• The choice of name and binary name for ripgrep, with 'rg' being the command name and 'ripgrep' being the full name, is seen as confusing by some users.
• Some users prefer to use ripgrep as a replacement for grep due to its improved performance and features, while others prefer to stick with traditional grep.
• The restrictions on customizing and installing software in some corporate environments can limit the usefulness of tools like ripgrep.