Even old bash is using & for sending processes to background, but there is few other ways too .. but basic two are these :

1.)$~ your_command > outputfile_for_stdout &

        # runs your command in background, giving you only PID so you can exit that process by `kill -9 PID_of_process`

        # & goes at the end of row      





2.)$~ your_command > outputfile_for_stdout 

        # this will run your program normally

        # press  Ctrl + Z then program will pause

   $~ bg

        # now your program is running in background

   $~ fg

        # now your program came back to foreground

3.)you can run terminal window under screen command so it will live until you either kill it or you reboot your machine

   $~ screen

   $~ run_all_your_commands

       # Ctrl + A + D will then detach this screen

   $~ screen -r will reattach it

Some other useful commands :

   $~ jobs

        # will show you all processes running right now, but without PID

   $~ ps

        # will show you all processes for actual terminal window