Linux · Bash: Interactive Shell

Both a login shell and an interactive terminal shell accept your commands interactively — so what actually distinguishes a login shell?

Answer locked. Get the free KnowCard app to reveal it — plus spaced-repetition review so it actually sticks.

This is one card from the KnowCard library — thousands more across SAP, Linux, Python and more. In the app you get the answer, AI explanations, and cards that come back right before you would forget them. Free to start on iOS, Android or the web.

More in Bash: Interactive Shell

You launched a long command but forgot the &, and it's tying up your terminal. How do you push it to the background without killing it?

What is the difference between what a terminal program does and what a shell like bash does?

What does the name Bourne Again Shell (bash) actually refer to, and which classic Unix shells is it related to?

You open a terminal and want to confirm which shell and version you are running before debugging a script. Which two commands tell you?

Where is a Linux user's default login shell stored, and how do you change it permanently?

Your script works when you run it directly but fails when invoked via /bin/sh on Debian or Ubuntu. What is the likely cause?

Start learning today

Free to start — download the app or use it in your browser.