startx

Used to start X Window

Description

The startx command is used to start X Window. In reality, the program that starts X Window is xinit.

Syntax

startx (parameters)

Parameters

Client and options: X client and its options.
Server and options: X server and its options.

Examples

To start an X session on a workstation or X terminal, enter:

startx

To force start an X session on a workstation, enter:

startx -w

To start an X session for an X terminal and log out the user's telnet session, enter:

startx; kill -9 $

To start an X session using a .xinitrc script, enter:

startx -x .xinitrc

To start an X session using the mwm window manager, enter:

startx -m mwm

However, if a startup script file is found, the -w option is ignored. In the startup script, it is the user's responsibility to start the window manager, load X resources, and spawn X clients. Below is an example of a .xsession script:

#!/bin/csh
 (mwm &)
 xrdb -load .Xdefaults
 (xclock -g 75x75+0+0 &)
 (xbiff -g 75x75+101-0 &)
 if ("/dev/lft*" == "`tty`") then
  aixterm -g 80x24+0+0 +ut -C -T `hostname`
 else
  aixterm -g 80x24+0+0 +ut -T `hostname`
 endif

For workstations, the last line in the startup script should be a foreground aixterm command with the -C option for console messages. For X terminals, the last line should be a foreground aixterm command without the -C option. Additionally, since some X terminals do not terminate the telnet session when closed, users must exit the current telnet session before switching to the X session using a hotkey.

The xdm command in the /usr/lib/X11/xdm/Xsession file can also use the startx command. This provides the xdm command with the functionality of the startx command.

The following are file names consistently used to start X sessions:

$HOME/.xerrors     File where startx redirects error messages. By default, startx redirects errors to the .xerrors file in the user's home directory.
$HOME/.Xinit,  
$HOME/.xinit,  
$HOME/.Xinitrc,  
$HOME/.xinitrc,  
$HOME/.xsession    Acts as a "startup file" containing shell commands to start the window manager, load X resources, and spawn X clients.
$HOME/.Xdefaults,  
$HOME/.xresources  Acts as a loaded X resource file to set user preferences for X clients.
$HOME/.mwmrc       mwm configuration file.
$HOME/.twmrc       twm configuration file.
$HOME/.awmrc       awm configuration file.
$HOME/.uwmrc       uwm configuration file.
/dev/lft*          Interface for terminal or tty, workstation initial login shell.