Multitask in the Linux Terminal

The oldest operating system I have ever studied is MS-DOS. This is a single tasking operating system, in the easiest way, you can see DOS like a single command line (cmd) window. In a long time, I use DOS single tasking and in the habit, I use cmd only in a single window. And when I use Linux with terminal (more power than cmd in window), the first time, I still use one terminal window, single tasking. But because of job requirements and the convenience of multitask, I changed, have use terminal with multi-task function (in many window/tab or in single window) or can be called: Multiple screen/area.


Multiple window and mutiple tab
With linux GUI (graphic user interface), these are the easiest ways.

With many terminals, you can easy change folder, run many terminal progresses like install a software and download a file and edit a text simultaneously.


Virtual consoles

Multiple window and mutiple tab are easy but What you do if you control a Ubuntu server without GUI ?

Linux has a function for this, this is virtual consoles, you can do with 6 terminals by use:

Ctrl+Alt+F1

for the first console, Ctrl+Alt+F2 -> F6 for other,  Ctrl+Alt+F7 for return graph (if GUI is installed).


Multitask with screen command

Virtual consoles is good function but if you telnet/ssh from pc to a server with putty, cmd or other, you can't use Ctrl+Alt+F<1-6>. You can do with many window by retype connect commands and password, so slow, and you can use screen command to multitask terminals.

Install (in ubuntu/debian):

sudo apt-get install screen

Some basic command to use

Create a screen:

screen -S name

Exit/detache screen:

ctrl+A, D

Go to an  existed screen

screen -r name

Terminal a screen:

ctrl+A, K

Other way

use a software can auto connect and auto fill password like Multi-Tabbed PuTTY, secure crt ..