Homework 1: Linux Basics
Out: Wednesday September 10, 2008
Due: Before 11:59 PM (or possibly at 5:30 in class: TBD) on Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Note that late homeworks will NOT be accepted.
Objectives:
To become familiar with
- using Tera Term to log on to and off of the UMBC
gl Linux system (linux.gl.umbc.edu),
- checking your disk quota and deleting unnecessary files,
- the basic use of the xemacs text editor, and
- the basic use of the pine e-mail client.
Note that this exercise is meant to be performed in the lab with the
assistance of your instructor. However, if you do not finish, you
must finish on your own time.
Resources:
Assignment:
- Log On to the Linux System
We'll go over how to do this in class.
- Check Your Disk Quota and Clean Your Directory
OIT allocates a fixed amount of disk space (called your "disk quota") to each
of the gl system users. It is a good habit to check your disk quota from time
to time to make sure that you are not coming close to your allocation.
To do this, type:
linux2[1]# quota -v
If you have already used a large portion of your quota (e.g., the %Used is 90% or
higher), you should delete unnecessary files. To do this, type:
linux2[1]# oitcleaner
at the linux prompt.
- Getting Ready to Use the xemacs Text Editor
Before you begin the next part of this exercise, you need to copy a file
into your directory. This file is called .emacs and activates certain
emacs features (do not worry about what features for now). To copy the file, type the
follwing commands exactly as the bold part after the
prompt appears:
linux2[1]# mv .emacs .old-emacs
linux2[1]# cp /afs/umbc.edu/users/p/a/park/pub/.emacs .
Note that the command has 3 parts (separated by spaces):
- The first part is cp followed by a space,
- the second part is the path to the file /afs/umbc.edu/users/p/a/park/pub/.emacs
followed by a space (there is no space in the path itself at all),
- and the third part is the period at the end of the command.
To check that the file is now in your directory, type:
linux2[1]# ls -a
- Use the xemacs Text Editor to Create an Autobiography
You will be using the xemacs text editor to create a file called
mybio.txt. The file will contain a brief autobiography about you
as follows:
- Begin by stating your name, major, and class standing (e.g., sophomore).
- Then, write a paragraph or two telling me a little bit about yourself.
Tell me
- where you are from and why you chose UMBC for your education,
- why you chose your major,
- the best college course you have had so far and why, and
- what is your favorite color?
Do not leave out any of this information!
- Finally, you should use the Internet to find answers to the questions below.
Each answer need not be more than a few sentences. Your answers should
be in your own words, not quoted directly from a source.
Please number each answer.
- Search for information about Computer Science. After reading several
sources, what would you give as a definition of Computer Science?
- Read about different areas of study in Computer Science.
Pick one area of study you think sounds interesting. Describe the field
of study and explain why you think it is interesting. Does it relate to your
major in any way?
- Research careers in Computer Science. List and briefly describe two
career opportunites in the field of Computer Science.
- New computer languages are often inspired by and/or
derived from pre-existing languages. Find out and list
what language (or languages) was the precursor to the
"C" programming language.
- Find and include a link to a funny joke or cartoon related to computers.
(Clean jokes/cartoons only, please!)
To create your autobiography file, do the following.
- Enter the emacs editor by typing: xemacs mybio.txt
- Simply type in the information specified above. Edit any mistakes using
the Backspace or Delete key to backspace and the Ctrl-d (where Ctrl is the Control key) combination to
delete a character. When you get to the end of a line, hit the enter key at a reasonable spot
instead of the letting the text wrap around to the next line. Remember that xemacs is simply a
text editor and does not format things nicely for us.
- Save your work as you go by pressing Ctrl-x and then Ctrl-s.
- To save your work and exit xemacs press Ctrl-x and then Ctrl-c. If you have made changes since you
last saved, it will ask you if you want to save the file, press 'y' for yes.
- You will know that you have exited emacs and are again talking to the Linux system if you see the linux1[#]% or linux2[#]% or linux3[#]% prompt.
- You can check that the file mybio.txt is in your directory by
typing: ls
- Use the pine E-mail Client to Send an E-mail With an Attachment
You are now going to use pine to send an e-mail to me that has
the mybio.txt file that you created as an attachment. You are also going
to send a copy of the email to yourself.
To accomplish this, do the following.
- Enter pine by typing: pine
- If this is the first time you are opening pine you will probably
see a screen that welcomes you to pine. You should type the
letter 'e' to exit the welcome message screen.
- Next, the pine main menu should appear. Type: c to begin
composing a new e-mail.
- Next to To:, type: park@umbc.edu
- Next to Cc:, type: yourusername@umbc.edu
- Next to Attchmnt:, type: mybio.txt
- Next to Subject:, type: Autobiography for [your name] - Section 0101
- In the Message Text area, type: Here is my autobiography!
- To send the e-mail, type Ctl-x and then y.
- Type: q to exit out of pine.
- You are done when you receive the system prompt of linux1[#]% or
linux2[#]% or linux3[#]% back.
- Log Off the Linux System
To log off of the system, type logout. Make sure you
log off of the computer as well.
