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So I know about linux virtual consoles, about how you can access them with ctrl+alt+f#, and I know that consoles 1-6 run getty and console 7 typically runs an X server, but that got me thinking about what else can run on a virtual console? Is there a way to create software that would run on a virtual console? Are there any tools for that? Is there maybe a way to run a C program on a virtual console or something like that?

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  • When you log in you get a normal (usually bash) shell from which you can run any command-line tool. You can also start a new X session, so you can support two or more independent users logged in simultaneously, though you will need plenty of memory for this. What more do you want?
    – AFH
    Jun 11, 2016 at 12:10
  • @AFH I am talking more about the the 8-12 ones, they aren't running anything, what can they run? (maybe I wasn't clear)
    – Amit Gold
    Jun 11, 2016 at 12:12
  • No, you weren't clear. It's a while since I did it, but my recollection is that, when I started a second X session, this was accessible through Ctrl-Alt-F8, so in principle the F8 to F12 function keys could be used for up to five additional X sessions.
    – AFH
    Jun 11, 2016 at 12:19
  • @AFH yeah I guess I am still not clear. Right now when I switch to tty8 for example, it's just a black screen. Typing doesn't do anything, Ctrl-C doesn't do anything, it basically is just there without running anything. I guess getty is what displays login/command promt, and it isn't running on it. My question is what can I run on it except for getty and an X server?
    – Amit Gold
    Jun 11, 2016 at 12:27
  • You can enable any number of virtual consoles, as described here. Once you have logged in you can do whatever you want.
    – AFH
    Jun 14, 2016 at 14:01

1 Answer 1

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Using sudo openvt, a virtual console can run any script.

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