Date: Tue, 05 Nov 1996 00:27:09 GMT Server: NCSA/1.5 Content-type: text/html Last-modified: Thu, 19 Sep 1996 21:15:08 GMT Content-length: 5075 CS367 Computers

CS367 Computers

The Computer Sciences Department provides registered students with a computer account on the UNIX computers. You may use any of the UNIX computers named sols or vegas. They are found in the computer science building in the labs listed below. The labs are open from 7AM - 1AM, seven days a week.

    1368  vega1  - vega12
    1358  vega13 - vega24
    1363  vega25 - vega36
    1370  sol1 - sol38
    1359  printer room with one UNIX consultant

If you have never had a computer science account, you can activate your new account by running the newuser program on any of the lab computers. Enter at the login prompt the word newuser and hit return for the password. Then follow the instructions.

You may also want to use a home or other computer for CS367. I do not want to discourage this, since it is more convenient and it reduces the demand for the lab computers. There are two ways to use home or other computer. You can use telnet to connect to the lab computers from a remote location. This provides you with the convenience of working on CS367 from your home, office, or other location without the expense of buying your own compiler. The second option is to use a home or other computer to develop your programs on a different compiler such as Borland C++. If you choose to use this option, please see the requirements below.


Using Telnet for Remote Access

You can remotely login to your computer science account on the lab machines. In this manner you are using the other computer as a terminal to connect to the lab computers. The connection is made using the telnet program. On a UNIX machine you would enter:

    telnet vega22.cs.wisc.edu
 
to connect to the lab computer named vega22. On a PC or Mac computer you need to get the Wisc World software from DoIT to be able to remotely access the lab computers. This software provides a program named telnet, and you will need to edit the site list to add the addresses of the computer science lab machines. The lab computers are at the following addresses:
    vega1.cs.wisc.edu  to  vega36.cs.wisc.edu
    sol1.cs.wisc.edu   to  sol38.cs.wisc.edu
 


Using Another Compiler

I suggest that you use a recently updated C++ compiler. C++ is a new and changing language, and older C++ compilers may not work with the concepts or code samples I discuss in lecture. I compile the sample code provided using version 2.7.2 of the Gnu g++ compiler, the same compiler you would use with your computer science account.

If you are using a non-UNIX computer, you will need to get some exposure to the UNIX operating system. One of the objectives for CS367 is that students learn the UNIX environment and its programming tools (i.e. editors, compilers, debuggers, ...) so that they are prepared for later computer science classes.

If you are developing your programs on another computer than those provided in the labs you must follow these requirements:

  1. You must compile and run your program in your computer science UNIX account before handing in each program. This will provide you with some exposure to the UNIX environment. It is also necessary since the graders use the source code, which you hand-in electronically, to test your program for correct execution. Note that there have been times when a student's program works fine at home, but won't work in UNIX. Most often these problems are simple, and due to things such as variables not being correctly initialized. You should plan ahead, and give yourself enough time to verify that your program works in UNIX.
  2. Problems with home or other equipment or software are your responsibility and are not accepted as an excuse. When you use other computers, you are responsible for keeping backups of your work, and resolving any problems with the system. There are too many variations of home and other computers and software for me to be of assistance. I will only guarantee that software I provide will work with your computer science accounts, but experience has shown there are few, if any problems, if you are using a recent C++ compiler.
  3. You must still do the following:
    • Get copies of the data files as needed.
    • Hand-in a copy of your program electronically.
    • Watch the on-line information for updates.
    • Read your e-mail.


Copyright © 1996 James D. Skrentny, skrentny@cs.wisc.edu