Ubuntu – Reattaching to an existing screen session

command linegnu-screen

I have a program running under screen. In fact, when I detach from the session and check netstat, I can see the program is still running (which is what I want):

udp        0      0 127.0.0.1:1720          0.0.0.0:*                           3759/ruby

Now I want to reattach to the session running that process. So I start up a new terminal, and type screen -r 

$ screen -r
There are several suitable screens on:
    5169.pts-2.teamviggy    (05/31/2013 09:30:28 PM)    (Detached)
    4872.pts-2.teamviggy    (05/31/2013 09:25:30 PM)    (Detached)
    4572.pts-2.teamviggy    (05/31/2013 09:07:17 PM)    (Detached)
    4073.pts-2.teamviggy    (05/31/2013 08:50:54 PM)    (Detached)
    3600.pts-2.teamviggy    (05/31/2013 08:40:14 PM)    (Detached)
Type "screen [-d] -r [pid.]tty.host" to resume one of them.

But how do I know which one is the session running that process I created?

Now one of the documents I came across said:

"When you're using a window, type C-a A to give it a name. This name will be used in the window listing, and will help you remember what you're doing in each window when you start using a lot of windows."

The thing is when I am in a new screen session, I try to press control+a A and nothing happens.

Best Answer

There are two levels of "listings" involved here. First, you have the "window listing" within an individual session, which is what ctrl-A A is for, and second there is a "session listing" which is what you have pasted in your question and what can also be viewed with screen -ls.

You can customize the session names with the -S parameter, otherwise it uses your hostname (teamviggy), for example:

$ screen

(ctrl-A d to detach)

$ screen -S myprogramrunningunderscreen

(ctrl-A d to detach)

$ screen -ls

There are screens on:
    4964.myprogramrunningunderscreen    (05/31/2013 09:42:29 PM)    (Detached)
    4874.pts-1.creeper  (05/31/2013 09:39:12 PM)    (Detached)
2 Sockets in /var/run/screen/S-paul.

As a bonus, you can use an unambiguous abbreviation of the name you pass to -S later to reconnect:

screen -r myprog

(I am reconnected to the myprogramrunningunderscreen session)

Related Question