Using "su" to become root

[almigi]

Hello everyone, I have a question regarding doing things as root. Prior to using Sabayon, I used Ubuntu and a few Ubuntu based distros (Mint and CrunchBang), so, I'm used to the "sudo" method of doing things.

Let's say for example, I am installing a program, and I want to do it from the Terminal because I'm old fashioned that way

I enter the terminal and I type "su" and then my root password when prompted. I type the necessary commands to install the program using the package manager, and when I'm done, do I simply close the Konsole window or do I have "su alan" (alan is the username of my regular account on my machine) to log back into my regular user account?

If I want to stay in the Konsole and do more command line work (that doesn't require root access) would I "su alan" then? Or, is there a better way to return to normal after switching over to root?

Thanks.

[kodiakmax]

This may be more info than you are asking However, I will attempt to explain it,
You can just close the terminal to continue going about your day with the gui no problem. If you want to keep that window open and switch to your regular user account you can do it 2 different ways. either you can type "exit" or you can type "su alan" if you type "su alan" it will still have the "su" access open underneeth the new "su alan". So, to clear out the privileged terminal you would have to execute "exit" twice or close the terminal.

FYI: Contrary to popular belief "su" does not mean super user. "su" means switch user. it just defaults to root access without a user specified.

Example:
open terminal
$ -- first user level
su
# -- first root level
su alan
$ -- second user level
su
# -- second root level
su alan
$ -- third user level
exit
# -- second root level
exit
$ -- second user level
etc, etc, etc.

or just close out that terminal window. this becomes more important if you doing it in a tty ( if you using a ctl+alt+F1) screen. Because if your doing it in a tty and forget which level you are on it leaves your computer open to whoever whats to use it. So, IMO if you want to switch back to regular user you should always use the command "exit" and never build up different levels.

If you want to know more about su:
type the command

Code: Select all

info su


also
wikipedia (though not as much info) -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Su_(Unix)

[Thev00d00]

Code: Select all

su # become root
exit # leave

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su # become root
Cntl + D to leave

its nested so this is shown with indentation to make it clearer

Code: Select all

su # become root
.    su user # become user
.    exit # go back to root
exit  # leave

[tomv]

The above posts were a little round-about. The short of it is, the "su" command starts a new shell as the requested user (in this case root). If you type "exit" or hit "CTRL-D" (end of file), these commands exits the new shell and return you to the old one which is presumably running as a normal user.