Improving your shell usage

by Chris Sinjakli (Sinjo)

Why?

• Department computers• CS student (Pro Skills module)• Web hosting• IRC

Navigation

Where am I?

The pwd command will show you the current working directory:

Navigation

Changing directory

The cd command will change to the directory specified:

Navigation

Listing directory contents

The ls command lists the contents of current directory:

Navigation

Other useful commands:

• cp <source> <destination> - Copies <source> to <destination>• mv <source> <destination> - Moves <source> to <destination>• mkdir <name> - Creates a directory called <name>• rm <target> - Removes <target> (no “Are you sure?”, be careful)

Editing files

Nano

Quick to get started with, shortcuts at the bottom

Editing files

Vim

More advanced, learn how to quit before opening

Editing files

Emacs

Also advanced, I’ve never actually used it

Command History

A faster way to retype commands

• Previously typed commands are saved• Up/down arrow keys can be used to access them• Not that useful if you want to go far back

Command History

Searching through History

Press Ctrl+r to search your shell history.

As you type, it will narrow down hits in your history.

Leaving things running

• Running programs stop when you exit the shell

• Programs can be left running inside the screen application

Leaving things running

Creating a session

You can create a new session by just using the "screen" command.

Leaving things running

Resuming a session

The -r switch is used to reattach a screen session.

$ screen -r[your previous session will appear here]

Leaving things running

Resuming a session

If you're already attached to a session from somewhere else, you'll see something like this:

$ screen -rThere are screens on: 15716.pts-4.viglab-26 (Attached)There is no screen to be resumed.

Leaving things running

Resuming a session

You can remote detach the running session, allowing you to attach it elsewhere.

$ screen -d[remote detached]

You can combine the two switches 'screen -dr' to remote detach, then reattach here.

Persistent IRC connection

• Leave irssi (an IRC client) running in screen• No disconnects/reconnects to the server• Chat history• Used by a lot of our members

Persistent IRC connection

With screen open:

1. Run irssi$ irssi

2. Connect to a server (irc.uwcs.co.uk for ours)/connect <Server Address>

Persistent IRC connection

Joining a channel

/join #compsoc

Persistent IRC connection

Switching channels

• Hotkeys for lower number channels (Alt + 1-0, Alt + q-o)• /win <number> command for anything above that• Alt + a to go to next window with activity

Persistent IRC connection

Leaving a channel

In the channel you wish to leave:

/part <Quit Message>

Our services

• Web hosting• Database• Shell access to member server (Codd)

Web hosting

• Included in membership• YourName.uwcs.co.uk by default• 1GB of quota (upgradable)• Support for PHP sites (WordPress, Drupal, etc)• Available to societies

Web hosting

• Basics– YourName.uwcs.co.uk– Files in ~/public_html/– Just Works (most of the time, some things like

Drupal need more config on our side)– Need to request a shell account

Web hosting

• Your own domain– Register with your preferred registrar– Point DNS records to our server– Nudge techteam to configure our web server

• What is your domain name?• Which directory is your site in?

Database

• MySQL database for each user• Needs requesting separately to shell account• Necessary for WordPress, etc• Also available to societies

Questions?

Contact

• IRC: irc.uwcs.co.uk• Forums: forums.uwcs.co.uk• Email: compsoc-exec@uwcs.co.uk

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