It often happens that you need to detach a process from a login session. This might occur, for example, if you are using [ssh] to login to a remote server that you are administering and wish to run a lengthy process. You don't want to keep the ssh session open for the entire time the process runs. In fact, you might even want to login from another computer to check up on the process as some later stage.

One answer is to use GNU [screen]. This incredibly useful program allows intricate managment of your login sessions. For the above task, however, you do this:

• login in to your ssh session
• type

  screen

  at the command prompt
• type whatever commands are required for your length process
• type

   control-a d 

  . This detaches the process from the login session
• logout

When you want to check up on your process again:

• login
• type

  screen -r 

  to reattach the process to your login session
• Do whatever it is you want

Nothing could be easier, or more convenient!

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