Setting Your Path

When you type a command, the shell you are running examines a specific set of directories in a specific order to find an executable file of that name. This set of directories is called your search path. All of the tools you will be using for this class are found in /ee2/ee425/bin, a location that your path would not normally include, so you need to change it explicitly.

If you cannot access the /ee2 directory when you log in to the ECEn "Spice" machines (in 425 CB), the system probably knows you are part of the "caedm" organization only, and not part of the "ee" organization. If you can't see the /ee2 files ("cd /ee2" gives a response something like "No such file or directory") let the instructor know via email and he'll have the sysops change your account info.

You can change the path each time you login, or you make a single change to an initialization file in your home directory for your shell that will work all semester. The syntax for this depends on the shell you are using. Popular shells include bash (GNU's Bourne Again Shell), tcsh (T shell), and csh (C shell).

tcsh and csh

The command you want here is along these lines:

set path = ($path /ee2/ee425/bin)

This will append the directory with the class tools to the end of your current search path (the value of $path). Typing this at the prompt will make a change for your current session. To make a one-time change for the entire semester, insert the above line near the end of your .cshrc file. Make sure you add the line after all other lines in the file that reference the path variable.

Once you have changed your .cshrc file, simply save it to disk. Any terminal windows you start after the file has been edited should see the change in your .cshrc file and be able to find the tools. To make the change take effect in any windows already open, type "source ~/.cshrc".

bash

Use the command

export PATH=$PATH:/ee2/ee425/bin

To make a permanent change, add the above line near the end of your .bashrc file.