Pronunciation: [slˈe͡ɪv tˌiːtˌiːwˈa͡ɪ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "slave tty" might seem unusual, but it can be explained with phonetic transcription. In IPA, "slave" is pronounced /sleɪv/ and "tty" is pronounced /ti ti waɪ/. When combined, they form "slave tty" /sleɪv ti ti waɪ/. The word refers to a type of terminal device used in computer networking. While the spelling may not follow typical English conventions, it is a common term in the tech industry.
A slave tty, also known as a slave terminal, refers to a virtual or physical device that functions as a secondary terminal connected to a main terminal, often controlled by a computer system or a user.
In Unix-like operating systems, a slave tty is a pseudo-terminal (pty) that serves as a downstream terminal device for input/output (I/O) operations. It receives input from and sends output to another terminal device, known as the master, under the control of a process acting as a terminal emulator. The slave tty emulates the behavior of a physical terminal, allowing users to interact with the computer system through command-line interfaces or other terminal-based applications.
A slave tty establishes a two-way communication channel between the master terminal and the emulated terminal, handling commands and input data from the user and relaying them to the controlling process or system. The slave tty enables concurrent terminal sessions, multiplexing, and remote terminal access, enhancing the flexibility and usability of the command-line interface.
Slave ttys are commonly used in scenarios where multiple users or processes need simultaneous access to a computer system through terminals. They facilitate remote login sessions, remote program execution, and the coordination of various system tasks. Additionally, slave ttys are instrumental in implementing terminal-based applications, such as text editors, terminal emulators, and terminal-based user interfaces for software programs.
The term "slave tty" is a technical term used in computer programming and refers to a secondary terminal device that is connected to a primary terminal device.
The term "tty" itself stands for "teletypewriter" or "teletype terminal". It originates from the early days of computing when teletypewriters were commonly used as input/output devices for computers. Tty devices allow users to interact with the computer through text-based commands and receive textual output.
The word "slave" in this context refers to a subordinate or secondary device that relies on a master or primary device. It is often used in a client-server relationship, where the primary terminal device is considered the master, and the slave tty devices are attached to it.
