Run Python script on Terminal and keep using the terminal afterwards

Question

I have a script that I activate via the terminal that listens to events. I want to keep using the terminal after the script runs, but the script is running and I can't type anything. The only way I know that lets me keep typing is by using the Ctrl + C combination, but this stops the script.

So how can I run the script in the background and keep using the terminal without terminating it?

Edit: I tried to use the '&' operator but it didn't work:

That's more of a "how do I use my shell?" question, but you can run commands in the background by adding `&` to the command line. — melpomene, Jul 27 '18 at 12:03
Why do you say `&` didn't work? The picture you posted shows the opposite. It's just that your output got interleaved with the prompt. — Mad Physicist, Jul 27 '18 at 12:15
@melpomene I tried it but it didn't work, I edited my question and added a screenshot — Json, Jul 27 '18 at 12:16

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 27 '18 at 12:13

You can run your script in the background with:

python myscript.py &

If your script does output something you can suppress the output with:

python myscript.py 1>/dev/null 2>&1 &

Or save the output for later:

python myscript.py 1>myoutputfile 2>&1 &
# ...
less myoutputfile

Another alternative would be to use for example screen or tmux.

Run Python script on Terminal and keep using the terminal afterwards

1 Answers1