CS 1206: Assignment 1

Due Friday, January 29, 1999 by 5pm

100 Points

Figuring Out What and Where Files Are

Your assignment is to collect the following information about the files listed below:

• The absolute path name of where the file is located.
• The one-line summary entry from the command's man page.
• A short paragraph paraphrasing what the command does (3 sentences or so).

The ten files (each of which is a command) you must gather information on are:

1. sh
2. pkg_add
3. X
4. sort
5. grep
6. tar
7. crontab
8. logname
9. dump
10. who

While looking for files, please use the FreeBSD machines in McBryde 124. Since not all files are located in the same place on different versions of Unix (indeed, some files may not be on some machines at all!), this will ensure that all students use a consistent environment when answering the questions. You're welcome to do preliminary exploration on any machine you want (even dialed into one of the DEC Alphas from home), but you must double-check your answers on the FreeBSD machines in 124 before turning them in.

Finding Information

In searching for information about the commands listed above, you might find using the following resources helpful:

• UNIX utilities such as:
  • man
  • man -k
  • apropos (which is another name for man -k)
  • which
  • whereis
  • whatis
  • find
• Manual pages on relevant topics and programs (they often contain a FILES listing and other useful information).
• Your knowledge of where things ought to be based on information provided in lecture or in the text books.

You may not ask other students, lab consultants, your lab partner, or anyone else other than the instructor or your TA for information about the ten files listed above. You're welcome to discuss general information about how to use commands like "which", "find", "whatis", and the other resources listed in this section of the assignment with other people including your lab partner, however.

Submitting Your Answers

• 1. Absolute path name.
• One-line summary entry.
• Short paragraph summarizing the command.
• One empty line.
• 2. Absolute path name.
• One-line summary entry.
• Short paragraph summarizing the command.
• One empty line.
• . . .

An example of a valid submission is:

1. /usr/ucb/vi
Full-screen text editor
vi is a full-screen text editor built upon the command-line editor
ex.  vi is designed to optimize keystrokes, and has very powerful
pattern matching capabilities. It is a mode, rather than WYSIWYG, editor.

2. etc.

You are to hand in your assignment by using the Automated Acceptor application. To receive credit, your assignment must be submitted before the time and date listed above. It is your responsibility to successfully submit your assignment via the Automated Acceptor. Only one submission is allowed per student. Brief instructions are given below on how to use the Acceptor, but it will be helpful to visit the Automated Acceptor's Web page.

After connecting to the Internet, run the acceptor program with the command:

Acceptor_UI

A dialog box will then appear. Fill in your original PID, e-mail password, and Student ID. Click inside the Course Index field and select the lab section you are enrolled in. Type in HW1 for the Project Number. Enter the full path of the file to be submitted, or click on Browse to find it. After all the information is typed in, click on Submit. If your submission was successful, a window will appear stating "Your file has been submitted. A confirmation will be sent to you via e-mail." If your submission did not succeed, then a dialog box will appear describing the problem. Correct the information and resubmit. If the submission was successful, click the Quit button. After a few minutes (or sometimes hours!), you should receive an e-mail message verifying the file was received.

Also, remember that no late assignments are accepted.