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eric000006

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What could 'someshell$ vi mytext.txt' mean

Hello. Im new to UNIX and trying to figure the meaning of:

someshell$ vi mytext.txt

I think that vi mytext.txt will either open and existing file in visual editor named 'mytext.txt' or it will open a new one and name it 'mytext.txt'  But what could the "someshell$" before it mean.  

Thank you.
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MushyPea

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eric000006

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So that should show up after a command is completed and at the begginning of each new comand?
Thank you
Yes, standard behaviour is to wait for the process to complete (or start in the background in some cases) before the prompt reappears ready for the next command.

You can force a program into the background with most shells, which gives you the prompt back straight away whilst the program executes.  For example, using bash (and some others), you put an ampersand (&) at the end, such as: gzip somefile &