What Is a Terminal?

A terminal is a text window where you talk to your computer by typing commands instead of clicking buttons.

You type a command, press Enter, and the computer runs it and shows you the result. The small symbol at the start of the line (often $) is called the prompt. It means the computer is ready and waiting for you.

The first command we will learn is echo. It simply prints back whatever text you give it.

echo Hello

This displays:

Hello

You can print any text you like:

echo Welcome to Linux

Welcome to Linux

If your text needs to stay exactly as written (with spaces), you can wrap it in quotes:

echo "Linux is fun"

Linux is fun

Don't worry about memorising everything. The terminal is a place to experiment. Try a command, see what happens, try another.

Mission: First Transmission

The station's communication array just came online and needs a signal test. Your job is to send the first message from this terminal.

Use the echo command to transmit the exact message: Mission control online

Expected result

The terminal prints back Mission control online, confirming your transmission was received.