CLEAR Linux and UNIX Fundamentals Guide
Introduction
The CLEAR computing environment provides a standard Linux and UNIX environment for coursework, software development, and research computing. This guide introduces essential Linux and UNIX commands, text editors, and terminal tools commonly used on the CLEAR systems.
Whether you are new to Linux or need a quick reference, the resources and examples below can help you navigate the command line, edit files, and work efficiently in a remote computing environment.
Introductory Reference to UNIX Commands
Linux and UNIX command-line tools allow you to navigate directories, manage files, run applications, and interact with the CLEAR computing environment.
Basic Commands
The following resource provides an introduction to commonly used Linux commands:
- Linux Commands Handbook — A reference covering commonly used Linux commands with explanations and examples.
Linux Tutorials
If you are new to Linux or UNIX, the following tutorial provides a structured introduction to working from the command line:
- Ryan's Linux Tutorial — An introductory Linux command-line tutorial.
- Ryan's Linux Tutorial Outline — Direct links to individual tutorial topics.
Common CLEAR Command-Line Tasks
Some commonly used Linux commands include:
pwd ls cd mkdir cp mv rm cat less grep find man
Use the man command to view the manual page for many Linux commands. For example:
man ls
Press q to exit a manual page.
UNIX Text Editors
Several command-line text editors are commonly available on Linux and UNIX systems. The editor you choose depends largely on your experience and workflow.
Command-Line Text Editors
Vi and Vim
Emacs
Nano
Graphical Editors
XEmacs
The Emacs reference materials may also be useful for users familiar with XEmacs.
Editor Comparisons
For users who are new to command-line text editors, Nano is often the easiest place to start. Vim and Emacs provide more advanced features and may be preferable for users who regularly edit files from the command line.
Tmux
Tmux is a terminal multiplexer that allows you to create persistent terminal sessions. This can be useful when running commands or processes that need to continue after you disconnect from CLEAR.
You can disconnect from a tmux session and reconnect to it later without terminating the programs running inside the session.
Basic Tmux Commands
Start a new tmux session:
tmux
List existing tmux sessions:
tmux ls
Attach to an existing session:
tmux attach
To detach from a tmux session without stopping it, press:
Ctrl-b d
For additional tmux commands and examples, see:
Note: Tmux can help preserve a terminal session if your SSH connection is interrupted, but long-running or resource-intensive workloads should follow any applicable CLEAR usage guidelines.