How to Copy Terminal Session into a File

admin    Linux     cat, command, copy, file, how-to, Linux, mkfifo, output, PinoyTux, redhat, script, session, software, terminal, text, tip, Tips, ubuntu, unix

Have you ever wondered how to copy the output of your terminal into a text file? Or maybe you teach Linux and you want to see what your students typed in and as well as the output? You think that running history is not enough? Then you need the script command.

Running script command

Open the man page of script command and you will see this:

Script makes a typescript of everything printed on your terminal. It is useful for students who need a hardcopy record of an interactive session as proof of an assignment, as the typescript file can be printed out later with lpr(1).

In a nutshell, it is history and tee all rolled into one. It will record everything you see on your screen, even the color. So if you typed in an invalid command, you will see the error in the log or if you run it correctly, you will have the output. But commands like top that refreshes the screen at an interval will most likely ruin the session or the log, so try to avoid similar commands.

To use it, just type the command script and it will begin recording the session. Once you are done, just type exit.

This is script in action:

rai@host1:~> script -a /tmp/script_test.log

Script started, file is /tmp/script_test.log
rai@host1:~> ls /home
R20 r200 R21 rai xx19
rai@host:~> thisnotacommandbutirunitanyway
bash: thisnotacommandbutirunitanyway: command not found
rai@host1:~> exit
Script done, file is /tmp/script_test.log
rai@host1:~> cat /tmp/script_test.log
Script started on Mon 17 Jan 2011 06:24:12 PM PHT
rai@lhost1:~> ls /home
R20 r200 R21 rai xx19
rai@host1:~> thisnotacommandbutirunitanyway
bash: thisnotacommandbutirunitanyway: command not found
rai@host1:~> exit

Script done on Mon 17 Jan 2011 06:24:54 PM PHT

The example above shows that script was started with -a option meaning it will append the output the specified file.

A better way to do this is to use it together with mkfifo command:

On Terminal 1 (Student’s terminal):

rai@host1:~> mkfifo /tmp/script_test.fifo
rai@host1:~> script -f /tmp/script_test.fifo

On Terminal 2 (Teacher’s terminal, same machine):

rai@host1:/tmp> cat /tmp/script_test.fifo

The above scenario will perform the following:
1) On the Student’s terminal, it will create an named pipe /tmp/script_test.fifo (man mkfifo) then run the script command with the -f option that ‘flushes’ out the output after each run. The Student’s terminal will look like it is not responding at this point, but don’t worry, it is perfectly normal.
2) On the Teacher’s terminal, the command cat will read the output file. Once you run the cat command, the session will be started.

Try the above steps and see how each screen behaves. Check also if doing the script command will create a populated output file.

NASA Uses Linux – A Lot!

Rai    Linux     fedora, Linux, nasa, redhat, rhel, servers, shuttle, space

Jack Aboutboul writes an insider’s scoop as he unravels the truth behind the urban myth about NASA using Fedora and RHEL for their mission-critical machines.

Jack writes:

 There has been a long standing rumor regarding NASA running Fedora which all of us in the Fedora community have been always intrigued by. Is it true? What are they doing with it there? Why don’t they run RHEL. Fortunately enough, a couple of weeks ago, I got to experience NASA behind the scenes, first hand, and hang out with the coolest members of the Fedora community, and find out the answer to these questions and lots more.

Read more about his trip-to-die-for to NASA including the pictures here.