1) How do I access the SEAS lab Linux machines and start to work on project 1?

There are 4 different environments that we can suggest.
1. Putty + Xming
2. Cygwin
3. Putty
4. Microsoft Visual C++ Express

Here's the advantages/disadvantages of each setup:
1. Putty + Xming
advantages:
-small files to download, and easiest to install and setup.
-Xming allows to use visual applications such as emacs and open up multiple windows at the same time.
-modifying files directly on your seas account, so they're available anywhere you have an internet connection.
disadvantage:
-must be connected to the internet

2. Cygwin
advantages:
-Cygwin allows to use visual applications such as emacs and open up multiple windows at the same time.
-modifying files directly on your seas account, so they're available anywhere you have an internet connection.
-local Linux environment allows you to code on your home machine without the need of an internet connection.
disadvantage:
-large installation file and takes a while to install

3. Putty
advantages:
-modifying files directly on your seas account, so they're available anywhere you have an internet connection.
-no graphical stuff, so very low latency
disadvantage:
-must be connected to the internet
-cannot run visual stuff or open multiple windows from a single session

4. Microsoft Visual C++ Express
advantages:
-Everyone should be used to using this program from prior classes
-allows you to code on your home machine without the need of an internet connection
disadvantages:
-still need to eventually test and run on class machines to see if it works i.e. it may work on your home machine, but not on the class machines
-A lot of compatibility problems between code created in Microsoft Visual C++ Express and code running in Linux

2) Is there some place I can get more information about accessing the SEAS Linux machines?

Yes, http://www.seasnet.ucla.edu/UnixServers/lnxsrv.

Start by reading the datalab.pdf. It is an informative outline of what you need to do for this project.

4) Are there more files that I can use to figure out how to setup my environment?

Yes. In a past quarter, files were created that provided some help with the environment and tool setup for new users.

• Set-up on Linux: setup_environment.pdf
• Cygwin and GDB - GNU debugger (optional): cygwin_and_gdb.pdf