Find code and diagrams at: https://www.EliTheComputerGuy.com

In Linux you can use numerous shells and Desktop Environments in order to interact with your system.

Shells and Desktop Environments 

Shells are the software you use to directly interact with the operating system.
Generally “shells” refer to command line shells.
Desktop Environments are GUI shells with the added functionality and software that make up what users think of as a Desktop operating System.
Command Line Shells

BASH is the default Command Line Shell.
There are numerous other command line shells that offer functionality such as autocomplete that users may find more useful.
A blog post on some different command line shells: https://www.tecmint.com/different-types-of-linux-shells/
XFCE

XFCE is a very lightweight Desktop Environment that looks like something from the 90’s
https://www.xfce.org
KDE

KDE is a modern Desktop Environment with a large amount of resources and tools.
https://kde.org
GNOME 3

GNOME 3 is a modern Desktop Environment that is the default from some distributions.
https://www.gnome.org
Mate

Mate is the continuation of GNOME 2. Some users preferred GBNOME 2 over GNOME 3 and so kept maintaining it as Mate.
https://mate-desktop.org
Ubuntu Touch

Ubuntu Touch is an Ubuntu Distribution customized for touch devices.
https://ubuntu-touch.io