Linux Features: Shells, Terminals, and Consoles

Flashcards covering the features of Linux, including shells, terminals, consoles, and desktop environments.

Kernel (Linux)

The core software component of Linux that provides operating system functions, manages hardware, and facilitates communication between software and hardware.

Distribution (Distro)

The Linux kernel combined with a package manager, software repository, customizable shells, utilities, and applications, often with community or commercial support options.

Shell

A command environment that allows a user to operate the OS and applications in Linux.

Bash, zsh, ksh

Examples of shell programs available for use with Linux, distinguished by features like command history and tab completion.

Terminal

A user interface that connects to the default shell command interpreter in Linux, often launched during the boot process.

TTY Device

Connects the terminal and shell, handling text input and output in separate streams (stdin, stdout, stderr).

stdin (0)

Takes the user's keyboard input and writes it as data to the tty device for processing by the shell.

stdout (1)

Reads data generated by the shell from the tty device and displays it through the terminal.

stderr (2)

Carries error information in the Linux shell environment.

Interactive Shell

Using a shell by working at a terminal, where commands are entered and executed in real-time.

Non-interactive Shell

Using a shell where commands are read from a script file rather than entered manually.

Desktop Environment (Linux)

A graphical environment loaded at startup on Linux distros designed for client PCs.

Xorg (X Window System)

An open-source version of the X Window Display system that drives the graphical environment in Linux.

Gnome, KDE, Cinnamon, Xfce

Examples of desktop programs or environments that can be launched within X in Linux.

Terminal Emulator

An application that runs within a window on the desktop and connects to the shell via a pseudoterminal (pty/pts) interface.

Virtual TTY Consoles

Multiple consoles, one of which is occupied by the X server when a graphical environment is installed; switchable using CTRL+ALT+Fx keys.