a vs Syntactic

a-Shell is a complete local terminal emulator, allowing to run most Unix commands on your iOS device. You can transfer files using scp and curl, edit them with vim and ed, process them using grep, awk and sed. You can work with git repositories using lg2.  Most commands are compiled for iOS native Arm64 format, making them fast and well integrated with the BSD Unix that powers iOS/iPadOS. a-Shell includes Python, Lua, Perl, JavaScript, C, C++ for programming and TeX (texlive 2025, with Tikz and LuaTeX) for text processing. There are also multiple network utilities: nslookup, ping, whois, ifconfig... Type help for help, help -l to get the full list of commands. a-Shell can be controlled from Shortcuts: run commands in order, process files in a-Shell, get the results as text or files, transfer files to other apps... a-shell uses iOS 13+ “multiple windows” ability, so you can run multiple shells at the same time, with different commands, in different directories. You can edit a file in one window with vim and process it in the other with python. Compile your C or C++ programs to webAssembly using clang or clang++, and execute the resulting binary. A complete webAssembly SDK is included (WASI-libc). a-Shell is the complete version. If you need a smaller app, and you don't need a C compiler, a TeX engine, or numpy and matplotlib, there is a-Shell mini.

Syntactic is a complete Rust learning environment that runs entirely on your device — a real Rust compiler in your pocket. WRITE AND RUN REAL RUST Write Rust in a fast editor with syntax highlighting, inline errors, and code completion, then compile and run it on-device. No account, no server round-trip, no internet required — the actual Rust compiler runs on your iPhone and iPad. LEARN FROM THE RUST BOOK The complete Rust Programming Language book is built in, formatted for comfortable reading, with runnable examples one tap from the editor. Check your understanding with built-in quizzes as you go. PRACTICE WITH CHALLENGES Sharpen your skills with 66 hands-on coding challenges across three difficulty tiers. Write your solution, tap Submit, and an on-device test suite grades it instantly — with the failing case and your own debug output right there when you need them. EXPLAIN ERRORS WITH ON-DEVICE AI (OPTIONAL) Stuck on a compiler error? An optional on-device AI can explain it in plain language, grounded in your own code — downloaded only if you choose, and running fully offline. EVERYTHING ON-DEVICE Your code never leaves your device. There is no sign-in and no tracking. Compiling, running, reading, and practicing all work completely offline, anywhere. Syntactic is an independent, unofficial app. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Rust Foundation.