CS 2304--UNIX: Assignment 2

Due Friday, February 21, by 5pm

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

1. tcsh
2. pkg_add
3. X
4. xman
5. grep
6. tee
7. crontab
8. ispell

While looking for files, please use the FreeBSD machines in McBryde 118. 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 118 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 provide in lecture or in the text book.

You may not ask other students, lab consultants, or anyone else other than the instructor or your TA for information about the eight 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, however.

Submitting Your Answers

You are to hand in your assignment by sending an email message to the address cs2304u@ei.cs.vt.edu. To receive credit, you mail message must be RECEIVED by this account by the time and date listed above. It is your responsibility to successfully submit your assignment via email.

The body of your message must be a plain ASCII text file that contains the following.

• A subject line indicating the homework number.
• Your name.
• Your student ID number.
• The three items of information requested, for each of the eight commands listed.