Getting to the Prompt

Before you can interact directly with a command-line shell, you must get to the command-line (or prompt). You can access the command line in a number of ways:

  • If Gnome (or another desktop environment) is running, you can open a terminal window.

  • You can access your Linux server remotely, using a telnet application.

  • You can start in Failsafe mode at the Red Hat logon screen. (This is somewhat like using Windows 95/98's Safe mode.)

  • You can set your system to boot directly to the command prompt.

In the bash shell, the interactive prompt is indicated with a dollar sign ($). In other words, at $, you type your command and press enter: for example,

						$ logout
					

To reach a command prompt in a Terminal window:

  • Choose the Terminal icon ...

Get Red Hat Linux 6: Visual QuickPro 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.