A virtual console (VC) – also known as a virtual terminal (VT) – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some Unix-likeoperating systems such as Linux, BSD, illumos, UnixWare, and macOS in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between multiple virtual consoles to access unrelated user interfaces. Virtual consoles date back at least to Xenix[1] and Concurrent CP/M in the 1980s.[2]
In the Linux console and other platforms, usually the first six virtual consoles provide a text terminal with a login prompt to a Unix shell. The graphical X Window System traditionally starts in the seventh virtual console (tty7), although this is configuration dependent. In Linux, the user switches between them by pressing the Alt key combined with a function key – for example Alt + F1 to access the virtual console number 1. Alt + ← changes to the previous virtual console and Alt + → to the next virtual console. To switch from the X Window System or a Wayland compositor, Ctrl + Alt + F1 works. (Note that users can redefine these default key combinations.)
If several sessions of the X Window System are required to run in parallel, such as in the case of fast user switching or when debugging X programs on a separate X server, each X session usually runs in a separate virtual console.
Unix workstations, such as those manufactured by Sun or Silicon Graphics, did not include virtual consoles. The only purpose of a console would be to fix the system so that the graphical environment could start.
Terminal emulator for an application program that has the same function as a textual virtual console
NotesEdit
^"Trusted path mechanism for virtual terminal environments". FreePatentsOnline.com. Retrieved 2008-04-09. United States Patent 4945468 lists Xenix as prior art in this area.
^Guzaitis, Joe (November 1983). "Concurrent CP/M". BYTE. pp. 257–268. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
ReferencesEdit
FreeBSD Handbook, chapter 3.2 Virtual Consoles and Terminals
External linksEdit
The Linux keyboard and console HOWTO
Linux command chvt to switch vt from cmdline
XENIX -- Microsoft's Short-lived Love Affair with Unix
October 19, 2023
virtual, console, nintendo, game, download, service, virtual, console, also, virtual, terminal, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challeng. For Nintendo s game download service see Virtual Console See also Virtual terminal This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Virtual console news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2014 Learn how and when to remove this template message A virtual console VC also known as a virtual terminal VT is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface It is a feature of some Unix like operating systems such as Linux BSD illumos UnixWare and macOS in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between multiple virtual consoles to access unrelated user interfaces Virtual consoles date back at least to Xenix 1 and Concurrent CP M in the 1980s 2 Virtual console showing Knoppix boot messagesIn the Linux console and other platforms usually the first six virtual consoles provide a text terminal with a login prompt to a Unix shell The graphical X Window System traditionally starts in the seventh virtual console tty7 although this is configuration dependent In Linux the user switches between them by pressing the Alt key combined with a function key for example Alt F1 to access the virtual console number 1 Alt changes to the previous virtual console and Alt to the next virtual console To switch from the X Window System or a Wayland compositor Ctrl Alt F1 works Note that users can redefine these default key combinations If several sessions of the X Window System are required to run in parallel such as in the case of fast user switching or when debugging X programs on a separate X server each X session usually runs in a separate virtual console Contents 1 Implementation details 2 Unix systems 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksImplementation details EditFurther information Terminal emulator Implementation detailsUnix systems EditUnix workstations such as those manufactured by Sun or Silicon Graphics did not include virtual consoles The only purpose of a console would be to fix the system so that the graphical environment could start Sun Niagara based servers running virtualization with Logical Domains get virtual console services from the Control domain See also EditVirtual desktop works similar to a virtual console but operates on graphical desktops instead of a command prompt System console for the non virtual console Text terminal for the textual interface in general Pseudo terminal for even more virtual consoles Terminal emulator for an application program that has the same function as a textual virtual consoleNotes Edit Trusted path mechanism for virtual terminal environments FreePatentsOnline com Retrieved 2008 04 09 United States Patent 4945468 lists Xenix as prior art in this area Guzaitis Joe November 1983 Concurrent CP M BYTE pp 257 268 Retrieved 19 March 2016 References EditFreeBSD Handbook chapter 3 2 Virtual Consoles and TerminalsExternal links EditThe Linux keyboard and console HOWTO Linux command chvt to switch vt from cmdline XENIX Microsoft s Short lived Love Affair with Unix Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Virtual console amp oldid 1081848554, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
