Towards Being a Power User: Unix and Getting To Know Your Computer

Due Monday before class

Objectives

• To review basic Unix commands
• To acquaint you with your computer

Preamble

I don't expect this assignment to take more than about 2 hours, ~1 hour for each part. Use your resources, including the Web, generally. (Note that using the Web is not what I will typically recommend.) If you're taking more than 2 hours, stop and email me.

Part 1: Reviewing Unix Commands

Motivation

We are moving to intermediate computer science. Using the command-line can make us much more effective/efficient in performing common tasks. Often, tools will have a GUI for most users, and a command-line interface for the more skilled power users. We want to make you more comfortable with the command line.

A lot of ideas/tools are based on Unix and its commands. If we know Unix, then other tools become easier to use because we are familiar with those ideas.

The Task

In a document (text, Word, Google doc), answer the questions below. Try to answer them on your own to start. Then, you can talk to your classmates or look them up. You may find this helpful: Unix commands

• What is a synonym for directory?
• What is a path?
• How do you find out the path of the current directory?
• How do you go into another directory? Give an example.
• How do you view the contents of the directory?
• How do you create a directory? Give an example.
• How do you copy a file? Give an example.
• How do you rename a file? Give an example.
• How do you delete a file? Give an example.

Part 2: Know Your Computer

Motivation

In computer science, our main tool is a computer. (duh!) As we transition to the intermediate-level, it's important that we know our main tool well so that we can be more proficient and productive.

The Task

In a [separate] document, answer the questions below. This is a little tricky because I don't know if your answers are correct. Since I mostly use Mac and Linux, I am not as good with Windows. I can check your answers with you, but the goal is for you to learn your computer. You can ask your classmates for help or look online. We can meet and discuss if you're not sure of the answers.

• What is the path to your home directory? In your file manager GUI, make a shortcut to your home directory. (I believe Windows has that shortcut by default, but IOS doesn't.)
• Where are you going to put your files for this class? (What is the path?)
• How do you open a terminal? (For Windows, there will be a variety of different ways to do this because there are various "terminals". I just want you to play a bit and learn your computer.)
• Which version of Python are you running (as in Python 3.x)? Describe how you determined that. (There are a variety of ways to do this.)

Submitting your assignment

Show Professor Sprenkle your assignment at the beginning of class on Monday.

Grading (10 pts)

You will be graded on making a good-faith effort in completing the tasks.