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The Linux Terminal

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Kristina edited this page Nov 15, 2017 · 3 revisions

Most Linux users do a lot of their work using command line inputs. In Linux you can do just about any task using command line inputs. The command line in Linux is used for installing software, upgrading the system, writing scripts, and more.

In fact on some versions of Linux (mainly server versions) there is no GUI interface and everything is done through the command line. Plus sometimes you have to use the command line to fix graphic issues or problems with the GUI interface not working correct.

The terminal is used to run command line inputs. There are several different versions of the terminal program for Linux and each distribution has a virtual terminals setup. Here is a screen shot of the default terminal application for Ubuntu:

Ubuntu Command line

Below is some instructions listing out different ways to open the terminal program in different versions of Ubuntu:

Unity (default desktop environment for Ubuntu)

  • Click on the Search your computer icon then input Terminal into the search box. Click on the terminal icon
  • Click on the Search your computer icon and then click on the apps icon. Navigate through the menus until you find the Terminal icon and click on it
  • Use the Ctrl + Alt + T shortcut to launch the terminal

GNOME (classic desktop environment for Ubuntu 11.04 and earlier versions)

  • Applications menu -> Accessories -> Terminal
  • Use the Ctrl + Alt + T shortcut to launch the terminal

Xfce (Xubuntu) (version of Ubuntu that uses the Xfce desktop environment)

  • Applications menu -> System -> Terminal
  • Use the Super + T shortcut to launch the terminal
  • Use the Ctrl + Alt + T shortcut to launch the terminal

KDE (Kubuntu) (version of Ubuntu that uses the KDE desktop environment)

  • KMenu -> System -> Terminal Program (Konsole).
  • LXDE (Lubuntu) (version of Ubuntu that uses the lightweight LXDE desktop environment)
  • Menu -> Accessories -> LXTerminal.
  • Use the Ctrl + Alt + T shortcut to launch the terminal

You can’t use the Ctrl+V shortcut to copy text into the terminal window. You can use the Ctrl+Shift+V or Shift+Insert keyboard shortcuts to paste text into the terminal window. You can also right click in the terminal window and select paste to paste text.

To copy text from inside the terminal window you can use the Ctrl+Shift+C keyboard shortcut or right click inside the window and select the copy option. You cannot use Ctrl+C to copy text inside the terminal window.

Linux has several built-in virtual terminals that you can launch. If you hit Ctrl+Atrl+(F1-F6) linux will launch a virtual terminal. When you first launch the virtual terminal you will have to type your username to login. Then it should asked that you input your password.

If you want to get back to the GUI interface in Ubuntu hit Ctrl+Alt+F7. On other versions of Linux you may have to click on a different function key to launch the GUI interface.

You can use the up key to recall previous commands you have inputted in the terminal.

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