In Mac OS X, what is the Terminal, and how do I access it?
The Terminal is the easiest way to access the Unix prompt
in Mac OS X. If you are familiar with Unix, you
may recognize its similarity to xterm implementations in
Linux and other Unix-like operating systems; if not, the
Terminal's non-graphical environment may be intimidating. However, it
allows you to use built-in command line programs such as
telnet, SSH, and SFTP, and is
required for some advanced Mac OS X tasks.
Opening a Terminal window
To open a Terminal window:
- In the Finder, from the
Gomenu, chooseApplications.
- In the Applications window, double-click
Utilities, and then double-clickTerminal.
Note: Be careful to enter commands precisely; entering the wrong command can render your computer unusable or cause other problems.

