Guide to using the Linux system at the physics department

Mats Nylén

Thomas Öhman

Peter Olsson

This document is a brief introductory guide to the Linux Workstations at the Physics Department.

The reader is encouraged to try out each command that is discussed, even if no specific exercise is given.

You will certainly need more information than what is given in this document. Chapter 10 gives clues to how to find such information.

Table of Contents

1. How to read these instructions.

Typographic conventions.

2. Logging in and changing password.

Starting up and logging in.
Changing your password
Finding the online version of these instructions
Logging out and shutting down

3. Files, directories and Unix commands

Unix commands for files and directories
Options in Unix commands
Some files of interest

4. The shell

Command line editing
Wildcards
Environment variables
The PATH variable
The prompt and PS1
The initialization file
Programs, processes and the shell
Job control
Redirection and piping
Aliases

Basic editing
Emacs modes
Copy, paste, and cut
Learning more about emacs

6. Compilation through gcc and make

To compile a single file
Two source files: compile and build
Built-in rules
Simple program: firstprog

Running LaTeX from the shell
Running LaTeX from within emacs
How to learn more about LaTeX

9. Browsing the world wide web

Using mozilla

10. Finding the online documentation

The info system
The man command
Interactive help
Documentation available on the world wide web

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		How to read these instructions.