change "startx" command | edit: and "ls" [SOLVED]

[lvleow]

I know this is a little ODD of a request, but how do you go about changing the startx command? For example, instead of startx, I want to type startxx to get into the GUI.

[xenopeek]

Easy:

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alias startxx="/usr/bin/startx"

Just type that on the terminal to have it work immediately. If you want it to work after reboot, add that line to your ~/.bashrc file.

If you don't want startx to work anymore, that is something different...

[lvleow]

not quite what I was looking for, but it pointed me in the right dir. thank you. renaming startx in /usr/bin to startxx worked more permanently (alias only works for current session?).

[xenopeek]

not quite what I was looking for, but it pointed me in the right dir. thank you. renaming startx in /usr/bin to startxx worked more permanently (alias only works for current session?).

Well, I didn't want to suggest that as it may break things (i.e., anything that needs to run startx now can't). Like I wrote, edit your ~/.bashrc to make the alias work after reboot.

[lvleow]

If I edit the bashrc and still put in startx, it'll work right? I don't want that. I want to script a custom error when the input is startx. Besides, what applications might use startx? If you're in the GUI, there's no need for it. And if you're in command, what kind of program wants to interrupt what it's doing and start the GUI? I'm kind of curious, cause I'd prefer not to get that error while doing something in either, so I can just avoid those kinds of apps?

Also, is there a way to rename "ls" to lets say "lss"? Also having ls playback a custom script error? Are there any applications that might use this command as well?

I know, I'm weird. hahaha

[xenopeek]

If I edit the bashrc and still put in startx, it'll work right? I don't want that. I want to script a custom error when the input is startx. Besides, what applications might use startx? If you're in the GUI, there's no need for it. And if you're in command, what kind of program wants to interrupt what it's doing and start the GUI? I'm kind of curious, cause I'd prefer not to get that error while doing something in either, so I can just avoid those kinds of apps?

Also, is there a way to rename "ls" to lets say "lss"? Also having ls playback a custom script error? Are there any applications that might use this command as well?

I know, I'm weird. hahaha

I suggest you read up on the Bash alias command.

Basically you could do in your ~/.bashrc:

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alias startxx="/usr/bin/startx"
alias startx="echo do not use startx"
alias lss="/bin/ls"
alias ls="echo do not use ls"

As long as you alias your alternative command to the full path of the command's binary, you can then create and alias for the original command to something else (like a warning in this case). If people then type "startx" or "ls" they get a warning, but "startxx" and "lss" work as expected.

If you want this to apply system-wide, for all users on the machine, you have to add the lines to the /etc/bash.bashrc file. The ~/.bashrc is only for your user.

[lvleow]

thank you, I appreciate your help.