next up previous contents index
Next: Listing Files and Directories Up: Command Line Options Previous: Redirecting input and output   Contents   Index

Running in the Background

You can run commands in the background by typing an ampersand symbol after the command like this:

bash$ netscape &

When you are in graphics mode this will open netscape in a new window and also give you control of your shell. If you just type netscape your shell will be locked up and it is not always easy to get it back. In some programs you can press Ctrl-Z to get the program to stop and regain control of the shell. Once you have the shell you can type bg to get the program to continue running in the background. That is basically equivalent to starting the program in the background to start with.



Joseph Colton 2002-09-24