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What is tty Linux command?

The Linux tty command shows the file name of the terminal connected to standard input. It can display the file name of the terminal you are currently using.

Terminal window
tty [option]
OptionDescription
-sSilent mode. Prints nothing, only returns an exit status.
—helpDisplay help information.
ParameterDescription
NoneThe tty command does not require any parameters.
Terminal window
tty

This command displays the file name of the terminal connected to standard input.

Terminal window
sudo chvt 2

This command switches to tty2 where you can access a different virtual terminal.

Terminal window
stty -a

This command shows all the current settings of the terminal.

Terminal window
sudo openvt

This command opens a new virtual terminal.

Terminal window
echo "Hello, World!" > /dev/tty3

This command sends the “Hello, World!” message to tty3 for output.

How do I check the terminal device associated with input?

Section titled “How do I check the terminal device associated with input?”

To check the terminal device associated with input in Linux, use the following command:

Terminal window
tty

How can I find the full path of the terminal device?

Section titled “How can I find the full path of the terminal device?”

To find the full path of the terminal device in Linux, you can use the following command:

Terminal window
tty -s

How do I use tty to determine if a script is being run in an interactive shell?

Section titled “How do I use tty to determine if a script is being run in an interactive shell?”

To determine if a script is being run in an interactive shell using bash and tty, you can use the following command:

Terminal window
[ -t 0 ] && echo "Interactive" || echo "Not Interactive"

How can I check if a file descriptor is associated with a terminal device?

Section titled “How can I check if a file descriptor is associated with a terminal device?”

To check if a file descriptor is associated with a terminal device in Linux using tty, you can run the following command:

Terminal window
tty -s <file_descriptor>

How to list all open terminals in Linux using tty command?

Section titled “How to list all open terminals in Linux using tty command?”

To list all open terminals in Linux with the tty command, you can execute the following:

Terminal window
ps -ef | grep -v grep | grep pts

How do I redirect output to a specific terminal device using tty in Linux?

Section titled “How do I redirect output to a specific terminal device using tty in Linux?”

To redirect output to a specific terminal device in Linux with the tty command, you can use the following syntax:

Terminal window
echo "Hello, world!" > $(tty)

How can I get the terminal device for standard error in bash using tty?

Section titled “How can I get the terminal device for standard error in bash using tty?”

To get the terminal device for standard error in bash with tty, you can enter the following command:

Terminal window
tty <&2

How to get the device number and file name of the connected terminal?

Section titled “How to get the device number and file name of the connected terminal?”

To get the device number and file name of the connected terminal in Linux using tty, run the following command:

Terminal window
stat -c "%t %n" $(tty)
  • Checking the file name of the terminal connected to standard input.
  • Determining the file name of the terminal connected to standard output.
  • Redirecting the standard output to a specific terminal device.
  • Monitoring the terminal device being used by a specific process.