dtach

What is dtach?

dtach is a lightweight program that replicates the detach functionality of the screen utility, enabling users to run a program within a shielded environment from the controlling terminal and subsequently reconnect to it. Unlike screen, dtach does not maintain a record of the screen's contents, making it best suited for programs capable of redrawing themselves. While dtach lacks the additional features offered by screen, such as support for multiple terminals and terminal emulation, this simplicity translates to a significantly smaller footprint, facilitating easier auditing for bugs and security vulnerabilities. This compact design also allows dtach to be deployed in resource-constrained environments, such as rescue disks, where space is limited

Highlights

• Replicates the detach functionality of screen, allowing programs to run in a shielded environment
• Does not track screen contents, working best with programs that can redraw themselves
• Smaller and more lightweight compared to screen, facilitating easier auditing and deployment in resource-constrained environments
• Lacks advanced features of screen, such as support for multiple terminals and terminal emulation