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I tried this simple test

ping [SOME IP] &;ls

expecting the output of ping to overlap with the listing.

Instead, I got an error:

bash: syntax error near unexpected token `;'

It does not help adding spaces. If the semicolon is escaped, the first command starts, then error

;: command not found

It almost works to enclose the ping in brackets

(ping [SOME IP] &);ls

The ls runs to completion, then the ping starts. I could achieve that more easily by typing

ls;ping ...

Is it possible to start two processes together, when the first (or both) are in the background?

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  • It's even simpler: ping [SOME IP] & ls. To start both in the background, append a &. Commented Feb 20 at 9:40

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They can't be run together because they do the same thing in this context: both & and ; act as list terminators indicating the end of a command. You can start a new command after either of them, so there is no need to use both.

So, to send one command to the background and immediatey launch another, you just do:

command1 & command2

That's it.

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&; is not valid bash syntax. the & is use to run a command in the background, the ; is used to separate commands. & already ends the command, a ; immediately after is incorrect

Why did ; after & return an unexpected token error in bash?

Syntax error near unexpected token `;' when running a command in Bash

You can use simple:

ping [SOME IP] & ls

or with a subshell

(ping [SOME IP] &) && ls

Do parentheses really put the command in a subshell?

Start subshells with assignment and wait for that

That should also work with grouping:

{ ls & ping [SOME IP]; }

execute set of commands in group by {} vs ()

Difference between parentheses and braces in terminal?

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