CS 251 Computing Environment

CS 251 supports computing with the CS GNU/Linux workstations in the SCI L037 CS Systems Lab lab. There are two ways to access this computing environment:

1. Go to the lab!

2. Use remote access with SSH to log in from any campus Mac computer or – with some installation of software – your own computer.

The provided environment is the only environment we guarantee to support. It is possible to install the tools directly on your own computer, but we highly recommend working on the lab machines for several reasons:

• All the tools are ready to go, no installation required.
• In the lab, you will find a community of other students working on assignments from CS 251 and other upper-level programming systems courses.
• The lab machine screens are larger than laptop screens, which helps with pair work and especially when you need tutor/instructor help.
• The lab is where drop-in hours will happen.
• Some of the tools, while possible to install on your own computer, are tricky to configure.

First-Time Setup

A CS account is required for all computing options. Request one if needed (on campus only).

Completing these steps on one workstation sets up the account that you use on all workstations (and cs.wellesley.edu, a.k.a. tempest).

1. See the GNU/Linux Skills links below or start with the CS 240 lab activities on the Linux command line if you are new to the command line. (Skip the Emacs/C parts.)

2. To configure your CS account permanently¹ to find CS 251 tools, open a terminal and run the command:

   source /home/cs251/live/env/init/account.sh
   

3. Complete the Git for Code Assignments tutorial. Even if you are familiar with Git, please skim through this, since it describes both Git and how to interact with our local Git hosting service for CS course work.

Tool References

• GNU/Linux Skills (← start here) for the command line (ignore drop), Scott Anderson, Wellesley College
  • Remote access with SSH: ssh wendy@cs.wellesley.edu
  • Bash commands, Ruth Anderson, University of Washington
  • Some useful Unix commands, Tia Newhall, Swarthmore College
• Git and CodeTub (← start here) for version control of CS 251 assignments
  • Git documentation and book
• DrRacket Basics (← start here) for Racket programming
  • DrRacket documentation
  • Racket Language Guide
• SML/NJ Basics (← start here) for SML programming
  • SML Basis library documentation
  • Guide to SML error messages
• Emacs Basics (← start here) for text editing and much more
  • Emacs Reference Card (pdf), Tour, Manual
  • A Visual Guide to Emacs – fun illustrated guides, by Sacha Chua
  • lots more…