Difference between X and startx?

Verbious · n00b Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 34 Location: Elizabeth, PA

I found there is a difference between these 2 commands. Why? and exactly what?

I was having a terrible time trying to start X by typing X. When I typed startx it fired right up. Until now I thought the commands did the same thing.

I would appreciate the insight.

CMI · Apprentice Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 205

X is the X server. The part that handles rendering, input, etc... Useless by itself.

startx starts X and some other applications which you may find usefull. It also handles other things like taking care of xauth, etc...
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Gibberx · Apprentice Joined: 20 Oct 2002 Posts: 217 Location: UMBC

To make an analogy (albeit maybe not that good): X is the car, startx is the key :wink:

Verbious · n00b Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 34 Location: Elizabeth, PA

Thanks for that info. I figured that it was something to that effect. After I would make modifications to the X config file I would type X and just get the black screen with the X cursor.

The car analogy is something that I understand. As a matter of fact, that is another off my favorite hobbies: Mechanics. I have an 84 Cherokee out in the garage that I have been working on for some time. I just had the transmission rebuilt and I freshened up the engine with an Edelbrock caM, but one of the new rod bearings that I put in decided to spin, so I ordered whole new crank. I am going to get started putting that in today. The problem is, Gentoo is so damned addicting!

thanks for the info!