Master the Linux ‘screen’ Command: A Comprehensive Guide

This article provides a detailed guide on the Linux screen command for beginners. It covers the history, use cases, and reasons for using the screen command, as well as how to use it. The article also introduces commonly used parameters, other supported parameters, the most common use cases, and tricky skills. In addition, it highlights points to be aware of and concludes the entire article. By reading this article, you will gain a better understanding of the screen command’s functions and learn how to use it efficiently in a Linux system.

Instructions

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide for newbies on the Linux screen command, including its history, purpose, usage, common parameters, and more.

History

The screen command was first introduced in 1987 by Oliver Laumann. It has since become a widely used utility in the Unix and Linux ecosystems for managing multiple terminal sessions.

When and why to use it

screen is best used for managing multiple terminal sessions within a single terminal window. It allows users to create, detach, and reattach terminal sessions, making it easy to run long-running processes, multitask, or maintain terminal sessions over unstable network connections.

How to use it

To start a new screen session, simply enter the screen command in the terminal:

screen

The commonly used parameters

• S Create a new session with a custom name

screen -S mysession

• ls List all active screen sessions

screen -ls

• r Reattach to a detached screen session

screen -r mysession

• d Detach a currently attached screen session

screen -d mysession

• X Send a command to a screen session

screen -S mysession -X quit

Other supported parameters

• -c: Specify a custom configuration file
• -t: Set the title for the new window
• -A: Force the use of a specific terminal type

Most common use cases

• Running long-running processes without the need to keep the terminal open
• Managing multiple terminal sessions within a single terminal window
• Maintaining terminal sessions over unstable network connections

screen -S long_process

The tricky skills

• Splitting the screen window into multiple regions
• Navigating between different windows and regions within a screen session
• Creating custom keybindings for improved navigation and control

screen -S split_screen

What needs to be noted

• Ensure you have the necessary permissions to create and manage screen sessions
• Be mindful of potential security risks when using screen on shared systems

Conclusion

The Linux screen command is a powerful utility for managing multiple terminal sessions. By understanding its features and common use cases, newbies can greatly improve their productivity and efficiency when working with the Linux command line.