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<tt>root</tt> |
<tt>root</tt> is the most powerful user on a linux based computer system. It allows you to execute any command that is available to it. |
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It will even allow you to execute commands that are harmful to your system. For example, '''you could delete all of the contents of a folder, or important system files by accident.''' |
It will even allow you to execute commands that are harmful to your system. For example, '''you could delete all of the contents of a folder, or important system files by accident.''' |
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It is very important that you be careful when using the <tt>root</tt> user. |
It is very important that you be careful when using the <tt>root</tt> user. |
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The best option is to type [[sudo]] ("super-use do... ") at the start of individual commands you want to run as root, for example <tt>sudo rpm ''options</tt>. |
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You become root in the [[terminal]] activity, or in a [[Virtual_terminal|Virtual Terminal]] by entering [[su -l]]. |
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But sudo is not available in early releases such as build 650 ("ship.1", release 7.1.0). |
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== Becoming root == |
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'''Note that the Root has been disabled for security purposes on the most recent releases.''' |
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There are several ways to permanently become the root user on an XO: |
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* In later versions of the [[Terminal Activity]] you can become "root" by pressing the "#_" icon at the top of the terminal screen. |
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* In builds earlier than 703 you may need to instead enter <tt>[[su -l]]</tt> in the Terminal Activity. |
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* In the [[Virtual terminal]] [[console]] you can login as root. In later builds this happens automatically when you press Enter; in earlier builds, press enter and when prompted to "Login:", enter <tt>root</tt> |
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The root user's prompt in a terminal normally ends with <tt>'''#'''</tt> rather than <tt>'''$'''</tt>. You can enter the command <tt>who</tt> to check who you are. |
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To enable it, you need to set a password for the root user. See the [[su]] page for more info. |
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==See Also== |
==See Also== |
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Revision as of 11:25, 3 October 2008
root is the most powerful user on a linux based computer system. It allows you to execute any command that is available to it.
It will even allow you to execute commands that are harmful to your system. For example, you could delete all of the contents of a folder, or important system files by accident.
It is very important that you be careful when using the root user.
The best option is to type sudo ("super-use do... ") at the start of individual commands you want to run as root, for example sudo rpm options. But sudo is not available in early releases such as build 650 ("ship.1", release 7.1.0).
Becoming root
There are several ways to permanently become the root user on an XO:
- In later versions of the Terminal Activity you can become "root" by pressing the "#_" icon at the top of the terminal screen.
- In builds earlier than 703 you may need to instead enter su -l in the Terminal Activity.
- In the Virtual terminal console you can login as root. In later builds this happens automatically when you press Enter; in earlier builds, press enter and when prompted to "Login:", enter root
The root user's prompt in a terminal normally ends with # rather than $. You can enter the command who to check who you are.