screen (GNU Screen) is a full-screen window manager that multiplexes a physical terminal between several processes, typically interactive shells. Before using this tag, read the "Which site is more appropriate?" section of the tag wiki.
screen (GNU Screen) is used to create virtual terminals, which run by their own when not under direct user control. This is especially useful while working with a remote system, when a disconnect can occur at any moment. In this case, the screen session will continue to execute and you may reattach a running screen later.
Screen also allows you to execute multiple commands in a single terminal without losing control over them.
One additional trick is that a single virtual screen can be used by several users simultaneously, allowing them to guide and observe actions of each other.
- GNU screen official page: downloads and documentation;
- screen command reference;
- introductory article from kuro5hin.org, GNU Screen: an introduction and beginner's tutorial;
- Introduction to using the scrollback buffer for copy and paste within
screen
.
Which site is more appropriate?
If you intend to tag your question with this tag, consider if the question is more suitable for other Stack Exchange sites:
- Super User
- Unix/Linux
- Server Fault (if the question is related to system administration)
- Ask Ubuntu (if it is an Ubuntu-specific question)
- Think Different (if your question is specifically related to screen in Mac OS).