GNU Screen

GNU Screen is a terminal multiplexer for use with text-based input windows ( text console) and is typically used on UNIX -like operating systems used. It is possible ( for example, via a terminal or terminal emulation) to produce within a single access different virtual terminal sessions. In addition, direct connections can be opened to serial ports and performed on Z-Modem file transfer. In particular, sessions can be pushed into the background and continue later. Screen thus provides an interactive version of nohup dar.

The first version of Screen was developed in 1987 by Oliver Laumann at the TU Berlin and completed between 1993 and 2003 by Juergen Weigert and Michael Schroeder at the University of Erlangen and since then serviced from there.

Usage

With screen, it is possible through a single access (for example, editors, browser, mail reader, IRC client) to use different programs in parallel and freely switch back and forth between them. It can also be used as a terminal program to communicate with devices that are connected to a serial port ( such as a modem or serial console from another computer ). It is also possible to divide the screen to view different sessions in parallel. In addition, a session can be used by several people at the same time.

Another popular feature of screen is called remove ( detach ) a session. This continues in the background, while the actual input window can be closed. At a later stage this session can be continued. This option is often used (for example, an IRC client or game server ) to start on a permanent Associated with the Internet system a process without that process terminates when the own Internet connection is disconnected from the server (for simple processes without terminal are available for this purpose, the prefix nohup command in conjunction with the & operator ).

Operation

GNU Screen is started by simply calling (screen ). It then starts a shell. Optionally, a program to be executed are specified (eg screen irssi ). Within screen Ctrl a is used in conjunction with other key combinations to give the program instructions. It is useful, for example, Ctrl A? , Indicating a list of keyboard shortcuts. More virtual consoles are now generated by the key combination Ctrl a-c. In a new virtual console each a shell is started, can be run from the from other applications. Switching between the different consoles, inter alia, with the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl A- Space or Ctrl a -0 ... 9 possible. Use the key combination Ctrl a - d, the session can be disconnected. Screen will then leave, but continues in the background. The user can now log out, and (later) after re- registration with the restore screen-r command the session.