IntroToLinux

1. Understanding the Console: TTY Origins

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📜 The TeleTYpe Writer (TTY)

 **Where it all began...**

TTY = “TeleTYpe Writer” - early computer terminals that were essentially typewriters connected to computers.

This historical connection explains many Linux terminal concepts we use today! 🖥️⌨️

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🔑 Key Terminology

🖥️ Terminal

Software that allows us to run a shell

• Also called: “pseudo-terminal” or “terminal emulator”
• Examples:
  • 🐧 GNOME Terminal, Konsole
  • 🍎 iTerm2, Terminal.app
  • 🪟 Windows Terminal

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🎮 Console

A special type of terminal

Characteristics:

• ❌ No graphical environment
• ⌨️ Direct interaction with keyboard and monitor
• 🔌 Can be accessed via serial cable
• 🖥️ Virtual consoles available in Linux
• 📟 Still called “tty” (TeleTYpe)

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🐚 Shell

User interface software that receives commands from the terminal

┌─────────┐      ┌─────────┐      ┌─────────┐
│ Terminal│ ───▶ │  Shell  │ ───▶ │ Kernel  │
└─────────┘      └─────────┘      └─────────┘

Acts as interpreter between user and kernel

Available Shells: bash, dash, zsh, ksh, sh


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Course Home: ⌂ Introduction to Linux