Install Cygwin

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Cygwin!

Introduction

This document provides instructions for setting up the software used in CS-11. The software is called Cygwin and is freely available from cygwin.com. Cygwin is already installed on CTC and lab machines. You can access the program in the labs from the Start button and by following the menu tree to our course.

If you need more help installing and using Cygwin, consult the Cygwin User's Guide. Or better yet, ask a class mate if they were able to set it up.

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Installation Instructions

  1. Download the setup.exe program

    2. Click on the Cygwin link to open another browser window. Click on the Cygwin! icon to download the setup.exe program.

  2. Open (run) setup.exe and follow the instructions, using defaults settings except for disabling the virus scanner. You may disable your virus scanner. Otherwise, you will have better results if you use default settings.

  3. When prompted for the download site, look in the list of Mirror Sites to find a close one.

    4. I used mirrors.kernel.org, since Palo Alto is close geographically.

  4. Add the following packages to the defaults. Note that you only need to download the binary (Bin) files and not the source (Src). Do not select "all".
    • Under Devel
      • astyle
      • binutils
      • gcc/g++
      • gdb
      • make
      • splint
    • Under Editors
      • nano
      • VIM
    • Under Interpreters:
      • perl
    • Under Text:
      • less
      • more

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Starting and Stopping Cygwin

Cygwin installs both icons on the desktop and entries in the Start menu, if you accept the default settings. To start Cygwin, simply double-click an icon or select the Cygwin Bash Shell from the Start menu.

To stop Cygwin, type logout or exit in the console window.

For more information, see the Cygwin User's Guide.

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In Case of Trouble

If you try to start Cygwin and it appears only briefly and then disappears, try starting Cygwin from the command line.

  1. From the Start menu, Select Run...
  2. In the text box, type:
    • command for Windows 95/98/ME
    • cmd for Windows NT/2000/XP
  3. At the command prompt type:
    4. C:\cygwin\cygwin.bat

Cygwin will report any errors it has while starting.

If your are having difficulty installing or using Cygwin, try looking through the Cygwin FAQ. If this does not help, then email the instructor with a description of the problem. Or better yet, ask a classmate to help you. Make sure you include any error messages with your description of the problem.

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Last Updated: September 14 2004 @16:08:29