Programs
When you type the name of an application on the console, the shell will search the application and execute it.
Examples:
- emacs, nano, gedit, kate: traditional text editors
- bracket, atom: modern text editors
- convert: image conversion utility
- gimp: image manipulation application
- inkscape: scalable vector graphics editor
- firefox: web browser
- vlc: video player
- etc…
Note: Depending on the particular Unix distribution you are using, you may have to install one of the above software packages before you can use it.
Append ‘&’ to execute a program in the background. This allows to keep typing new commands in the console while the application is still running.
Parameters to a program, for example a file to be opened, are passed via arguments. They are simply appended after the application name:
- emacs README.txt &
- gimp image.jpg &
Many Unix commands also have a variety of options. Options are passed like arguments except that they have a leading - for short single letter options and two leading -- for long human readable options.
Examples:
- ls -l: produces detailed directory listing
- less —quiet —quit-at-eof README.txt: page file contents quietly and quit at end
Most applications understand the option —help to give a detailed list of options.
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