Computer related practical issues

To be able to run any course related tools and packages (for example TSim) you need to first run the following command:

$ setup_course tda381

Note that the old course code TDA381 is used here.

You are strongly encouraged to test your lab solutions on a multi-processor or multi-core machine, for example remote[n].student.chalmers.se.

Syntax highlighting for JR

In order to properly format JR programs in Emacs you are very strongly encouraged to use the jr-mode. It is not a 100% solution but it provides reasonably looking and readable programs.

Running course related tools from your own Windows computer

Although it's a little complicated it is possible to run the tools used in the course from a Windows machine. It relies on having Cygwin installed. Cygwin is a set of tools which makes your Windows machine more unix like. Follow the steps below and you will be able to run the tools on a Windows machine.

Installing Cygwin

  • Go to the cygwin homepage and download the installer by clicking the "Install or update Cygwin now!" to the right. This is a program called "setup.exe"
  • Run the setup.exe program
  • This program will now take you through a number of questions. Most of the initial choices available are sensible and you can just click "Next".
  • When the program asks you to choose a server to download from I recommend ftp://ftp.sunet.se as it is most likely the fastest one.
  • The program will then show you a big meny of additional things to install. You need to install the following things:
    • Under the menu X11 you need to install xorg-server and xinit.
    • Under the menu Net you need to install openssh
  • Click Next and the Finish and you're done installing!

Running the course tools

In this section we are going to describe how to run the course tools from a server on Chalmers but having the windows displayed on your local Windows computer.
  • Click on the Windows start menu and choose Cygwin-X and then XWin Server. A window with a shell will open.
  • In the new window type "ssh -Y <username>@remote<n>.studat.chalmers.se". Where <username> is your username on Chalmers computers and <n> is a number from 1 to 5. You might get questions about RSA fingerprints and you can just answer yes to that question. Then you will be prompted about your password.
  • You are now logged into Chalmers with the additional benefit that you can have windows show up on your screen. You probably want to start and editor first. You can do that as follows:
    emacs Lab1.java
    A window should appear on your screen running Emacs.
  • Running the train simulator is as simple as writing:
    tsim bana &
Last modified: Tuesday, 20-Aug-2013 16:13:10 CEST
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING - Chalmers University of Technology and Göteborg University
SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden - Tel: +46 (0)31- 772 1000