& means "run the preceding command in the background". So, for example, 
./myprogram username lsrkj&etk

[download]
will attempt to first run the command ./myprogram username lsrkj as a background process and then, while that's running, also run the command etk in the foreground (probably producing the error "etk: command not found").

In reply to Re^5: Argv problem by dsheroh
in thread Argv problem by Anonymous Monk

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