How to know the types of windowing system, window manager and desktop environment of a Unix-like OS
3
I was wondering what commands/utilities can be used in terminal to know the types of windowing system (such as X window system), window manager (such as Metacity, KWin, Window Maker) and desktop environment (such as KDE, Gnome) of a Linux or other Unix-like operating systems?
Thanks!
linux desktop
asked Feb 13 '11 at 17:40
TimTim
27.1k78262472
add a comment |
3
I was wondering what commands/utilities can be used in terminal to know the types of windowing system (such as X window system), window manager (such as Metacity, KWin, Window Maker) and desktop environment (such as KDE, Gnome) of a Linux or other Unix-like operating systems?
Thanks!
linux desktop
asked Feb 13 '11 at 17:40
TimTim
27.1k78262472
2
So you want to know what's installed, what's default or what's running?
– bahamat
Feb 14 '11 at 16:14
@bahamat: what is running. That is why I want to know if there are some system files or commands for me to check that. But if you also know how to check for what's installed, what's default, then I also would like to know. Thanks!
– Tim
Feb 14 '11 at 17:49
What do you want to do with this information? (Windowing system is at least almost always X windows)
– pjc50
Feb 15 '11 at 15:38
@pjc50: different types come with different sets of applications. I need the info to decide whether an application is for mine.
– Tim
Feb 15 '11 at 15:41
1
Fordesktop environment, I came acrossenv | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP.
– user15760
May 7 '13 at 17:41
add a comment |
3
3
3
2
I was wondering what commands/utilities can be used in terminal to know the types of windowing system (such as X window system), window manager (such as Metacity, KWin, Window Maker) and desktop environment (such as KDE, Gnome) of a Linux or other Unix-like operating systems?
Thanks!
linux desktop
asked Feb 13 '11 at 17:40
TimTim
27.1k78262472
I was wondering what commands/utilities can be used in terminal to know the types of windowing system (such as X window system), window manager (such as Metacity, KWin, Window Maker) and desktop environment (such as KDE, Gnome) of a Linux or other Unix-like operating systems?
Thanks!
linux desktop
linux desktop
asked Feb 13 '11 at 17:40
TimTim
27.1k78262472
asked Feb 13 '11 at 17:40
TimTim
27.1k78262472
asked Feb 13 '11 at 17:40
TimTim
27.1k78262472
asked Feb 13 '11 at 17:40
TimTim
27.1k78262472
asked Feb 13 '11 at 17:40
TimTim
27.1k78262472
27.1k78262472
2
So you want to know what's installed, what's default or what's running?
– bahamat
Feb 14 '11 at 16:14
@bahamat: what is running. That is why I want to know if there are some system files or commands for me to check that. But if you also know how to check for what's installed, what's default, then I also would like to know. Thanks!
– Tim
Feb 14 '11 at 17:49
What do you want to do with this information? (Windowing system is at least almost always X windows)
– pjc50
Feb 15 '11 at 15:38
@pjc50: different types come with different sets of applications. I need the info to decide whether an application is for mine.
– Tim
Feb 15 '11 at 15:41
1
Fordesktop environment, I came acrossenv | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP.
– user15760
May 7 '13 at 17:41
add a comment |
2
So you want to know what's installed, what's default or what's running?
– bahamat
Feb 14 '11 at 16:14
@bahamat: what is running. That is why I want to know if there are some system files or commands for me to check that. But if you also know how to check for what's installed, what's default, then I also would like to know. Thanks!
– Tim
Feb 14 '11 at 17:49
What do you want to do with this information? (Windowing system is at least almost always X windows)
– pjc50
Feb 15 '11 at 15:38
@pjc50: different types come with different sets of applications. I need the info to decide whether an application is for mine.
– Tim
Feb 15 '11 at 15:41
1
Fordesktop environment, I came acrossenv | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP.
– user15760
May 7 '13 at 17:41
2
2
So you want to know what's installed, what's default or what's running?
– bahamat
Feb 14 '11 at 16:14
So you want to know what's installed, what's default or what's running?
– bahamat
Feb 14 '11 at 16:14
@bahamat: what is running. That is why I want to know if there are some system files or commands for me to check that. But if you also know how to check for what's installed, what's default, then I also would like to know. Thanks!
– Tim
Feb 14 '11 at 17:49
@bahamat: what is running. That is why I want to know if there are some system files or commands for me to check that. But if you also know how to check for what's installed, what's default, then I also would like to know. Thanks!
– Tim
Feb 14 '11 at 17:49
What do you want to do with this information? (Windowing system is at least almost always X windows)
– pjc50
Feb 15 '11 at 15:38
What do you want to do with this information? (Windowing system is at least almost always X windows)
– pjc50
Feb 15 '11 at 15:38
@pjc50: different types come with different sets of applications. I need the info to decide whether an application is for mine.
– Tim
Feb 15 '11 at 15:41
@pjc50: different types come with different sets of applications. I need the info to decide whether an application is for mine.
– Tim
Feb 15 '11 at 15:41
1
1
For
desktop environment, I came across env | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP.– user15760
May 7 '13 at 17:41
For
desktop environment, I came across env | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP.– user15760
May 7 '13 at 17:41
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
5
With difficulty.
There is no centralized system for keeping track of these things.
- On Debian-derived Linuxes you might try the
alternativessystem. - You could query the package manager, and if you find only one Foo installed, you can be pretty sure which Foo is in use.
- You could try parsing the output of
ps. Or equivalently of reading/procon systems that have it.
Possibly the most reliable thing is to ask the user.
answered Feb 13 '11 at 18:50
dmckeedmckee
1,088615
add a comment |
1
One of the answers in the comments works for me in Kali (probably in other Debian-based distros as well)
env | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
answered 1 hour ago
ThomasThomas
1134
New contributor
Thomas is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "106"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
draft saved
draft discarded
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2funix.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f7363%2fhow-to-know-the-types-of-windowing-system-window-manager-and-desktop-environmen%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
5
With difficulty.
There is no centralized system for keeping track of these things.
- On Debian-derived Linuxes you might try the
alternativessystem. - You could query the package manager, and if you find only one Foo installed, you can be pretty sure which Foo is in use.
- You could try parsing the output of
ps. Or equivalently of reading/procon systems that have it.
Possibly the most reliable thing is to ask the user.
answered Feb 13 '11 at 18:50
dmckeedmckee
1,088615
add a comment |
5
With difficulty.
There is no centralized system for keeping track of these things.
- On Debian-derived Linuxes you might try the
alternativessystem. - You could query the package manager, and if you find only one Foo installed, you can be pretty sure which Foo is in use.
- You could try parsing the output of
ps. Or equivalently of reading/procon systems that have it.
Possibly the most reliable thing is to ask the user.
answered Feb 13 '11 at 18:50
dmckeedmckee
1,088615
add a comment |
5
5
5
With difficulty.
There is no centralized system for keeping track of these things.
- On Debian-derived Linuxes you might try the
alternativessystem. - You could query the package manager, and if you find only one Foo installed, you can be pretty sure which Foo is in use.
- You could try parsing the output of
ps. Or equivalently of reading/procon systems that have it.
Possibly the most reliable thing is to ask the user.
answered Feb 13 '11 at 18:50
dmckeedmckee
1,088615
With difficulty.
There is no centralized system for keeping track of these things.
- On Debian-derived Linuxes you might try the
alternativessystem. - You could query the package manager, and if you find only one Foo installed, you can be pretty sure which Foo is in use.
- You could try parsing the output of
ps. Or equivalently of reading/procon systems that have it.
Possibly the most reliable thing is to ask the user.
answered Feb 13 '11 at 18:50
dmckeedmckee
1,088615
edited Feb 14 '11 at 21:18
answered Feb 13 '11 at 18:50
dmckeedmckee
1,088615
answered Feb 13 '11 at 18:50
dmckeedmckee
1,088615
answered Feb 13 '11 at 18:50
dmckeedmckee
1,088615
1,088615
add a comment |
add a comment |
1
One of the answers in the comments works for me in Kali (probably in other Debian-based distros as well)
env | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
answered 1 hour ago
ThomasThomas
1134
New contributor
Thomas is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
1
One of the answers in the comments works for me in Kali (probably in other Debian-based distros as well)
env | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
answered 1 hour ago
ThomasThomas
1134
New contributor
Thomas is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
1
1
1
One of the answers in the comments works for me in Kali (probably in other Debian-based distros as well)
env | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
answered 1 hour ago
ThomasThomas
1134
New contributor
Thomas is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
One of the answers in the comments works for me in Kali (probably in other Debian-based distros as well)
env | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
answered 1 hour ago
ThomasThomas
1134
New contributor
Thomas is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
ThomasThomas
1134
New contributor
Thomas is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
ThomasThomas
1134
answered 1 hour ago
ThomasThomas
1134
1134
New contributor
Thomas is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Thomas is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Thomas is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
draft saved
draft discarded
Thanks for contributing an answer to Unix & Linux Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
draft saved
draft discarded
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2funix.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f7363%2fhow-to-know-the-types-of-windowing-system-window-manager-and-desktop-environmen%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
2
So you want to know what's installed, what's default or what's running?
– bahamat
Feb 14 '11 at 16:14
@bahamat: what is running. That is why I want to know if there are some system files or commands for me to check that. But if you also know how to check for what's installed, what's default, then I also would like to know. Thanks!
– Tim
Feb 14 '11 at 17:49
What do you want to do with this information? (Windowing system is at least almost always X windows)
– pjc50
Feb 15 '11 at 15:38
@pjc50: different types come with different sets of applications. I need the info to decide whether an application is for mine.
– Tim
Feb 15 '11 at 15:41
1
For
desktop environment, I came acrossenv | grep XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP.– user15760
May 7 '13 at 17:41