CMSC 201
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Lab 1: Introduction to Unix and Emacs

Overview

  1. Introduction
  2. Grading
  3. Unix Commands
  4. Using Unix Commands
  5. Emacs Commands
  6. Hello World

Unix

The command prompt gives us a text based way of using a computer. The computers you use will be running Gnu-Linux operating system, which are based on an underlying operating system called unix.

Unix Commands

Unix commands are a special language that let you navigate and give commands to the computer. For instance, the command cd lets you change directories; rm deletes a file. Below are some references to lists of commands:

  1. Basic Unix Commands: A brief description of what many of the most basic commands do.
  2. UNIX Tutorial for beginners: A series of tutorials designed to teach beginners.
  3. Alphabetical list of Linux Commands: A lookup table for all commands.
  4. 10 Cheat Sheets and Tutorials for Linux

SSH

Your work will be completed and submitted on the school servers. While youc an use any of the linux computers on campus, it may be more convient to work from home. It is possible to open a command line from your computer that executes commands on the school server.

Windows Users

If you're using windows, you'll need to download the free program Putty in order to connect with the school servers. Once you download it, configure it to connect to gl.umbc.edu. You will also need to give it your school username.

Mac / Linux

To connect to the school servers with Mac or Linux, simply open a terminal (Applications/Utilities on a mac) and type "ssh yourUsername@gl.umbc.edu" and you will be connected.