console, tty, stty confusion

kernel.vijay · 03-29-2006, 02:57 AM

What is console, tty, stty in linux?
Iam very much confused about these terms. i have seen the respective device files present in the linux but like which is used/refer where?

suppose im connecting to a linux machine from windows through telnet which one is used? when we get the prompt it is said that we have got the shell. So what is console, tty, stty ??

kernel.vijay · 03-29-2006, 03:13 AM

Please tell me abt pts and virtual consoles as well.

thanxs.
Vijay

pixellany · 03-29-2006, 07:50 AM

In general, console, tty, etc all refer to "terminals". In main-frame days, everthing was done from terminals. Now---eg if you are logged into a GUI--you open a "terminal window" to access the shell using commands. You are now operation as if you were on a remote terminal. (I suspect this is what is referred to a "virtual terminal".)
You can have LOTS of terminal sessions going at the same time--local and remote.