start

N/A (No standard 'start' command)

There isn't a universally standard 'start' command in most Linux distributions. Users sometimes expect it, potentially due to familiarity with Windows. Linux typically uses various commands and mechanisms to launch programs, depending on the desired behavior (foreground, background, graphical, etc.). This lack of a direct equivalent requires utilizing tools designed for specific launch scenarios.

Common methods for launching applications include directly executing the program's binary, using shell scripts, or employing desktop environment launchers. Systemd, a system and service manager, plays a crucial role in starting services and applications automatically during system boot. When launching applications, understanding concepts like process management, backgrounding using '&', and redirecting input/output are fundamental.

Because no `start` command is present, many scripts have been created which attempt to mimic similar functionality of this command found in other operating systems. If you find a `start` command on a linux machine, it will likely be a shell script created to perform some custom set of commands specific to that linux distribution. Care should be taken to inspect the shell script.
Do not rely on there being any consistent behavior for a start command.

Launching from the terminal: Execute the program's name (e.g., 'firefox'). For background execution, append '&' (e.g., 'firefox &').
Desktop Environment Launchers: Use desktop environment's application menus or launchers.
Systemd Services: Create a systemd service unit file to manage an application as a service (automatic startup, monitoring, etc.).

A simple 'start' script (if created) might look like this:

#!/bin/bash
$1 &

nohup(1), bg(1), fg(1), systemctl(1), xinit(1), open(1) (macOS)