Unless you're executing a command that requires the display of text in Terminal, you won't have any indicator that what you've done has been successful you'll just get a new line with your user name on it once the command is finished processing. In short, be careful before using Terminal to execute commands, and make sure you understand what you're typing. Here's the important part: With a system administrator account and password, you have direct access to tweaking almost everything about your computer's software code that means that while this little window provides great power, it comes with great responsibility. When you open it, Terminal presents you with a white text screen, logged in with your OS X user account by default.

What is Terminal?Īpple's Terminal app is a direct interface to OS X's bash shell - part of its UNIX underpinnings. While the average person should never have any reason to visit Terminal, Apple's command line interface app actually does give you access to quite a few neat tricks and shortcuts.

(Well, as much of a mutual respect as one can have between a human being and a code window.)

OS X's command line and I have never been what I'd call 'friendly' rather, we have a mutual respect and understanding about not messing with each other.

Windows command prompt emulator for mac