---
name: "xmatrix"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "xscreensaver"
version: "3.34-3"
release: "Debian 3.0 (Woody)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/xmatrix"
---

# xmatrix(1)

simulates the computer displays from the movie

## NAME

xmatrix - simulates the computer displays from the movie

## SYNOPSIS

**xmatrix** \[-display *host:display.screen*\] \[-window\] \[-root\] \[-install\] \[-visual *visual*\]  \[-delay *usecs*\]  \[-density *percentage*\] \[-top \| -bottom \| -both\] \[-small \| -large\] \[-trace\] \[-phone *number*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The *xmatrix* program draws dropping characters similar to the displays in the Wachowski brothers' film, "The Matrix".

## OPTIONS

*xmatrix* accepts the following options:

- **-window**

  Draw on a newly-created window.  This is the default.

- **-root**

  Draw on the root window.

- **-install**

  Install a private colormap for the window.

- **-visual *visual***

  Specify which visual to use.  Legal values are the name of a visual class, or the id number (decimal or hex) of a specific visual.

- **-delay *usecs***

  The delay between steps of the animation, in microseconds: default 10000.

- **-density *percentage***

  The approximate percentage of the screen that should be filled with  characters at any given time.  Default 75%.

- **-top \| -bottom \| -both**

  If **-top** is specified, the characters will only drop in from the top of the screen as sliding columns of characters.  If **-bottom** is specified, then instead of sliding columns, the characters will appear as columns that grow downwards and are erased from above.  If **-both** is specified, then a mixture of both styles will be used.  The default is **-both**.

- **-small \| -large**

  These options specify the sizes of the characters.  The default is **-large**.

- **-trace**

  Start off with a representation of a phone number being traced.   When the number is finally found, display The Matrix as usual.

- **-phone *number***

  The phone number to trace, if **-trace** is specified.

## ENVIRONMENT

- **DISPLAY**

  to get the default host and display number.

- **XENVIRONMENT**

  to get the name of a resource file that overrides the global resources stored in the RESOURCE\_MANAGER property.

## SEE ALSO

**X**(1), [**xscreensaver**(1)](/xscreensaver/1.md)

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 1999 by Jamie Zawinski.  Permission to use, copy, modify,  distribute, and sell this software and its documentation for any purpose is  hereby granted without fee, provided that the above copyright notice appear  in all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation.  No representations are made about the  suitability of this software for any purpose.  It is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.

## AUTHOR

Jamie Zawinski \<jwz@jwz.org\>, 25-Apr-99.