Software & AppsOperating SystemLinux

How To Start Applications from Terminal in Ubuntu

Ubuntu 6

Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution, offers a powerful command-line interface that provides a high degree of control over the system. This article will guide you on how to start applications from the terminal in Ubuntu.

Quick Answer

To start applications from the terminal in Ubuntu, you need to know the command-line name of the application. Simply open the terminal, type the command-line name, and press Enter. You can also run applications in the background by appending the "&" symbol to the command.

Understanding the Terminal

The terminal, also known as the command-line interface, is a text-based application that allows you to interact directly with your system. It can be accessed in Ubuntu by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T. The terminal is often used for tasks such as file management, system updates, and starting applications.

Starting Applications from Terminal

To start an application from the terminal, you need to know the command-line name of the application. For example, to start the CompizConfig Settings Manager, you would open the terminal and type ccsm, then press Enter.

Here’s the command:

ccsm

The ccsm command is the command-line name of the CompizConfig Settings Manager application. When you press Enter, the system will execute this command and start the application.

Running Applications in the Background

You can also run applications in the background, which allows you to continue using the terminal while the application runs. To do this, you append the & symbol to the command. Here’s how you would do it:

ccsm &

The & symbol tells the system to run the command in the background. This means that the terminal will not wait for the command to finish executing before it allows you to enter another command.

Finding the Command-Line Name of an Application

If you’re unsure of the command-line name of an application, you can find it by checking the files placed in the GUI menu or by using tab completion in the terminal. Another way is to run the system-monitor GUI application or use the top command in the terminal, which can help you identify the process name of the application you want to start.

Conclusion

Starting applications from the terminal in Ubuntu provides a high degree of control and flexibility. It allows you to run applications in the background and gives you the ability to manage your system more effectively. Remember, if you need more specific information or encounter any issues, you can seek further assistance on platforms like ubuntu.stackexchange.com.

Mastering the terminal is a key skill when using Ubuntu or any other Linux distribution. With practice, you’ll find that many tasks can be performed more efficiently from the terminal than from a GUI. Happy computing!

How can I open the terminal in Ubuntu?

To open the terminal in Ubuntu, you can press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard. This keyboard shortcut will launch the terminal application.

How do I find the command-line name of an application?

There are a few ways to find the command-line name of an application. One way is to check the files placed in the GUI menu. Another way is to use tab completion in the terminal. You can start typing the name of the application and then press the Tab key to see if the terminal completes the name for you. The system-monitor GUI application or the top command in the terminal can also help you identify the process name of the application you want to start.

How do I start an application from the terminal?

To start an application from the terminal, you need to know the command-line name of the application. Once you have the command-line name, you can simply type it in the terminal and press Enter. For example, if the command-line name of the application is example-app, you would type example-app in the terminal and press Enter to start the application.

Can I run applications in the background from the terminal?

Yes, you can run applications in the background from the terminal. To do this, you can append the & symbol to the command when starting the application. For example, if the command to start the application is example-app, you would type example-app & in the terminal and press Enter. The application will then run in the background, allowing you to continue using the terminal for other tasks.

Why would I want to start applications from the terminal?

Starting applications from the terminal provides a high degree of control and flexibility. It allows you to easily manage your system and perform tasks such as file management and system updates. Additionally, running applications in the background from the terminal allows you to multitask and continue using the terminal for other tasks while the application runs.

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