halt command in Linux with examples
Last Updated :
21 May, 2019
Improve
This command in Linux is used to instruct the hardware to stop all the CPU functions. Basically, it reboots or stops the system. If the system is in runlevel 0 or 6 or using the command with –force option, it results in rebooting of the system otherwise it results in shutdown.
Syntax:
halt [OPTION]...
Options:
Option | Description |
---|---|
-f, –force | It does not invoke shutdown. |
-w, –wtmp-only | It will not call shutdown or the reboot system call but writes the shutdown record to /var/log/wtmp file. |
-p, –poweroff | To behave as poweroff |
–verbose | Gives verbose messages when reebooting which helps in debugging problems with shutdown. |
Files:
- /var/log/wtmp : Consists a new runlevel record for the shutdown time.
- /var/run/utmp : Gets updated by a shutdown time record when the current runlevel will be read.
Example 1: To cease all CPU function on the system.
$halt
Output:
Broadcast message from ubuntu@ubuntu root@ubuntu:/var/log# (/dev/pts/0) at 10:15... The system is going down for halt NOW.
Example 2: To power off the system using halt command.
$halt -p
Output:
Broadcast message from ubuntu@ubuntu (/dev/pts/0) at 10:16... The system is going down for power off NOW.
Example 3: halt command with -w option to write shutdown record.
$halt -w
Note: For this, there will be no output on the screen.