Overview
The write command is used to send text messages to a specific user logged into the same system. All lines entered by the user are output directly to the recipient's terminal until the user presses Ctrl+D or the write session ends.
Key Features
- Real-time one-on-one messaging
- Direct output to the target user's terminal
- A simple and immediate communication tool
Key Options
The write command controls its behavior using arguments rather than traditional option flags.
Arguments
Generated command:
Try combining the commands.
Description:
`write` Executes the command.
Combine the above options to virtually execute commands with AI.
Usage Examples
Various ways to use the write command to send messages to other users.
Sending a message to a specific user
write john
Hello John, are you there?
Let's meet at 3 PM.
^DThe most basic usage, sending a message to a user named 'john'. After executing the command, type your message and press Ctrl+D to complete the transmission.
Sending a message to a specific terminal
write jane pts/0
Hi Jane, please check pts/0.
^DWhen a user named 'jane' is logged into multiple terminals (e.g., pts/0, pts/1), this sends a message to a specific terminal, in this case 'pts/0'.
Entering and exiting a message
write user_name
This is the first line.
This is the second line.
^DAfter executing the write command, you can enter your desired message across multiple lines. To finish entering the message, press Ctrl+D on your keyboard. This signifies the end of the file (EOF) and completes the message transmission.
Tips & Considerations
Although the write command is simple, there are a few points to note and useful tips.
Usage Tips
- Exit with Ctrl+D: You must press Ctrl+D to finish entering your message. Otherwise, the write session will remain open.
- mesg command: You can control whether other users are allowed to send you write messages. 'mesg y' allows message reception, and 'mesg n' denies message reception. You can check the current status by simply typing 'mesg'.
- wall command: To broadcast a message to all logged-in users, use the wall command instead of write. wall is useful for system administrators to convey announcements.
Considerations
- Security and Privacy: write transmits messages in plain text without encryption, and they are displayed directly on the terminal, making it unsuitable for sending sensitive information. Furthermore, the messages are exposed as-is on the recipient's terminal.
- Legacy Tool: Compared to modern messaging systems (e.g., chat apps, email, SSH-based communication), write has limited functionality and is used less frequently. It is primarily used for simple notifications or testing purposes between users logged into the same server.