If no specific client program is given on the command line,
_x_i_n_i_t will look for a file in the user's home directory
called _._x_i_n_i_t_r_c to run as a shell script to start up client programs.
If no such file exists, _x_i_n_i_t will use the following as a default:
xterm -geometry +1+1 -n login -display :0
If no specific server program is given on the command line,
_x_i_n_i_t will look for a file in the user's home directory
called _._x_s_e_r_v_e_r_r_c to run as a shell script to start up the server.
If no such file exists, _x_i_n_i_t will use the following as a default:
X :0
Note that this assumes that there is a program named _X in the current
search path. However, servers are usually named _X_d_i_s_p_l_a_y_t_y_p_e where
_d_i_s_p_l_a_y_t_y_p_e is the type of graphics display which is driven by this
server. The site administrator should, therefore, make a link to the
appropriate type of server on the machine, or create a shell script that
runs _x_i_n_i_t with the appropriate server.
Note, when using a _._x_s_e_r_v_e_r_r_c script be sure to ``exec'' the real X server.
Failing to do this can make the X server slow to start and exit. For example:
exec Xdisplaytype
An important point is that programs which are run by _._x_i_n_i_t_r_c should be run in the background if they do not exit right away, so that they don't prevent other programs from starting up. However, the last long-lived program started (usually a window manager or terminal emulator) should be left in the foreground so that the script won't exit (which indicates that the user is done and that _x_i_n_i_t should exit).
An alternate client and/or server may be specified on the command line. The desired client program and its arguments should be given as the first command line arguments to _x_i_n_i_t. To specify a particular server command line, append a double dash (--) to the _x_i_n_i_t command line (after any client and arguments) followed by the desired server command.
Both the client program name and the server program name must begin with a slash (/) or a period (.). Otherwise, they are treated as an arguments to be appended to their respective startup lines. This makes it possible to add arguments (for example, foreground and background colors) without having to retype the whole command line.
If an explicit server name is not given and the first argument following the double dash (--) is a colon followed by a digit, _x_i_n_i_t will use that number as the display number instead of zero. All remaining arguments are appended to the server command line.
Below is a sample _._x_i_n_i_t_r_c that starts a clock, several terminals, and
leaves the window manager running as the ``last'' application. Assuming that
the window manager has been configured properly, the user
then chooses the ``Exit'' menu item to shut down X.
xrdb -load $HOME/.Xresources xsetroot -solid gray & xclock -g 50x50-0+0 -bw 0 & xload -g 50x50-50+0 -bw 0 & xterm -g 80x24+0+0 & xterm -g 80x24+0-0 & twm
#!/bin/sh . /usr/local/lib/site.xinitrc
#!/bin/sh xinit /usr/local/lib/site.xinitrc -- /usr/X11R7/bin/X -br