Is using the su command in a console the exact same as if I had logged in as root to begin with? I.e., for applications that need to be installed by root, can I log is as my usual user and use the su command rather than continually logging out and back in?

Yeah, but don't forget the - (su -).

you don't ever have to continually log in and logout of root (in fact, i highly discourage your ever using root's graphical interface, DoN't Do It!)

just go into konsole or terminal, and when root is ever needed, type su and then enter your password when it asks, when u need to get out of su, i'm not sure if there is a command, but just exit the terminal window and start a new one

What's the "-" in "su -"?

there is no - as far as i know
just type su

then there will be a prompt for password and type it in (note that the password will not be shown in any way, just type it in and hit enter)

Compare using "su" and "su -". You'll notice a difference.

'The optional argument - may be used to provide an environment similiar to what the user would expect had the user logged in directly.'



-- How the hell did I miss your post, aaa? Oops.

when you use the "-" it tells you to use the path for the user that you are switching too...
so for instance if you have /sbin in your roots path and you are logged in as a normal user and just type su and then type your root password and then following by typing lets say "hdparm" it will say command not found...
but if you switch user to root using "su -" and type the password and then issue the command "hdparm" you will be able to use this command without having to specify the path, as you would have to type /sbin/hdparm if you only typed "su" to change users..

su simply logs you in as root while su - Passes the environment along unchanged, as if the user actually logged in as the specified user

You actually can go back from root to a normal user after using su to change to root. Just type logout or press ctrl+d.

Take a look at this thread.

Go down and look at the excerpt from the rute book.

regards...

Or, you can just type 'exit'.

Edit: Actually, on my red hat 8.0 system, I just tested that, and when I used 'logout' it said:
bash: logout: not login shell: use 'exit'


regards...

To "go back" i.e. leave being root in a term, just type su <username>

eg: su barry

to get you back to where you came from

HTH
Steve

There is also another way to run a command as root and you don't even need to login:
su -c 'command'

it will prompt for password and execute the command.

In example:
./configure
make
su
make install
exit

just takes more time typing. Instead:
./configure
make
su -c 'make install'

and it's done

Enjoy

Are you sure that won't just launch an additional login for barry?

I tried that. I ran 'su -', logged in as root, and then simply ran 'su bsl1' to go back as you said, but that did create an additional login for bsl1. I was still in the root directory. I had to type exit twice to get back to my original login.

regards...