Terminaler

Terminaler are endpoints or interfaces that connect two systems or allow access to a service. The plural form is commonly used in computing, transportation, and network theory to refer to distinct places or devices that mark the end of a connection or process.

In computing, a terminal can be a dedicated hardware device with a screen and keyboard, used to interact with a computer, or a software program called a terminal emulator that runs on a general‑purpose computer. Early terminals were physical devices connected via serial lines to mainframes or minicomputers; later, graphical workstations and personal computers hosted terminal emulators.

Modern terminals typically render text-based user interfaces, execute command shells, and bidirectionally send input characters and receive output. They distinguish between the terminal (the interface) and the shell (the command interpreter). Common terminal emulators include xterm, GNOME Terminal, and Windows Terminal; remote access is usually provided by SSH rather than Telnet.

To manage multiple sessions, users employ terminal multiplexers such as tmux or GNU Screen, which allow splitting the display and resuming sessions after disconnection. Terminals are also essential in network equipment and servers for administration and diagnostics.

In transportation, a terminal is a facility where passengers or cargo are processed and transferred between modes of transport, such as an airport terminal or a seaport terminal. These facilities typically include check-in, security, gates, cargo handling, and customs processing.