SSBW - Linux Tutorial 3: Text Editing and Shell Scripts
Summary
In this interactive tutorial built for a learning management system, students will 1) use a virtual machine to interact with a Linux command line environment, 2) create and edit text files using a graphic user interface, 3) create a c-shell script to store and execute a series of commands, 4) use variables to store information in a shell script.
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Context
Audience
The IRIS Seismology Skill Building Workshop (SSBW), which is a free, online, open-access, large-enrollment, 12-week summer workshop for upper level undergraduates.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
This assignment builds on prior understanding of navigating a Linux command line environment, file and directory administration, filename conventions, redirecting information to or from files, and retrieving information from files.
How the activity is situated in the course
This is assignment number 3 of 35 in the Seismology Skill Building Workshop (SSBW).
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
Proficiency with navigating a Linux command line environment, editing text files, c-shell, shell scripts, program variables, and redirecting information to or from files.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
Retrieving relevant information from digital sources to accomplish tasks, using correct programming syntax, evaluating and describing computing output in the context of broader concepts.
Other skills goals for this activity
Description and Teaching Materials
Students will:
1. Login to a Linux virtual machine and navigate in the command line environment
2. Use the gedit program to open, edit, and save a text file
3. Find and replace text in gedit
4. Create a c-shell script to store a series of commands
5. Set and use variables to store information in a shell script
6. Change the mode of a file and then execute a shell script to run a series of commands
7. Store the output of a shell script in a file
GIFT format file for SSBW Linux Tutorial 3 -- educator-only file
HideTeaching Notes and Tips
This assignment was constructed in the Moodle learning management system, and has been exported in the GIFT format. More information about the syntax of this format can be found here: https://docs.moodle.org/en/GIFT_format
Assessment
This assignment is automatically graded by the learning management system. The number of questions of each type used are:
11 multiple choice questions
5 multiple answer question
1 matching question
1 true/false question
5 short answer (auto-graded) question
References and Resources
During the Seismology Skill Building Workshop, students are provided with a virtual Linux machine that was tailored to include the software specifically needed to complete the assignments. This software is all freely available on the internet, but interested parties are encouraged to contact the instructor for access to this tailored virtual machine.