Overview
The Unix system and the shell predate most computational interfaces (e.g. the graphical user interface). Although very old, Unix based systems and the shell are one of the most powerful ways to use computers whether it is your laptop or a supercomputer. This course is an introduction to navigating your way around the shell and demonstrating how it can improve your workflow. This can be in the form of data processing, executing code, using a huge range of built-in tools, and creating pipelines.
This course will cover
- Describe what the shell is and how you access it
- Navigate around the unix filesystem
- Inspect and manipulate files
- Automate tasks via scripts
- Run programs outside of IDEs and notebooks
Pre-requisite knowledge
- No pre-requisite knowledge required. The attendees will require access to a Unix-like system. There are number of options here: MacOS, WSL2 on Windows, Linux, HPC (ISCA).
Workshop Format
The course will take the form of 2 sessions of 3 hours each, on separate dates. These will each be split up at the discretion of the course leader, but most likely into 25 minute chunks with 5 minutes break between. Each session of the course will be run hybrid.
Upcoming course dates
Please note that registration for the Autumn 2023 course is now closed. Please contact Eilis Hannon at e.j.hannon@exeter.ac.uk to register your interest in future courses.
| Dates | Time | Venue | Sign up link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1: 20th October 2023 | 10:00 - 13:00 | Streatham: Old Library Training Room 4 | Registration form |
| Session 2: 27th October 2023 | 10:00 - 13:00 | Streatham: Old Library Training Room 4 | Registration form |
Registration for this course is handled by University of Exeter Researcher Development.
Set-up instructions for attendees
If you have registered for this course you can find the instructions for setting up your computer here.
Start course
If you are unable to attend any of the dates above the notes for this course are available here and are freely available to work through in your own time. Please note that you will need to have completed the set up instructions above.
Follow up courses
On completion of these course you will be invited to join a network of other participants. This is a supportive forum for you to ask follow up question and receive tailed invites to follow on courses.
Feedback
Please remember to complete a feedback survey. Our workshops are under continual review and your experiences, suggestions and criticism are invaluable for shaping the direction of this initiative. This is especially important if you complete the materials in your own time as it enables us to measure impact. If you have ideas on other courses you would like to see then please contact Eilis Hannon at e.j.hannon@exeter.ac.uk.
Join us
If you are interested in becoming part of our community of workshop helpers, leaders and developers please also contact Eilis Hannon at e.j.hannon@exeter.ac.uk.
Acknowledgements
This course was adapted from Software Carpentries Intro to Unix Shell and has been developed by the University of Exeter Research Software Engineering Group who are enthusiastic about sharing their skills with the wider research community. Its provision is dependent on the time of these volunteers. If you have benefited in any way from this course and want to support its long term sustainability then please take the time to complete our feedback survey, recommend it to your colleagues, and enthuse about it to your senior leadership team.
This workshop is brought to you by the University of Exeter Research Software Engineering Group, University of Exeter Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, University of Exeter Researcher Development and the University of Exeter Doctoral College.