Name

write user [tty] — util-linux

Synopsis

/usr/bin stdin stdout - file -- opt --help --version

The write program is more primitive than talk: it sends lines of text from one logged-in user to another on the same Linux machine.

$ write smith
Hi, how are you?
See you later.
^D

^D ends the connection. write is also useful in pipelines for quick one-off messages:

$ echo 'Howdy!' | write smith

Get Linux Pocket Guide now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial