Software on Physics

all is not lost. Change directory to /usr, and use the find command. Try something like find . -name program-name -name.

Tip, executable programs are usually in directories that have a "bin" in their names.

If you still can't find the program, we probably don't have it. You can send a request to

help@physics.wm.edu

asking if the program could be installed.

If you don't know the name of the software, but you do know what you want the software to do, type man -k subject where you use a general word that describes what you are interested in in place of "subject". For example:

Using the brief descriptions as a guide and the manpages for each program, decide which program does what you want.

How do I learn how to use it?

• First try the World-Wide-Web. We have a few software manuals online. If you stumble on more elsewhere, send me the address, and I will add them.
• Your next resort is the manpage. Manpages exist for almost every unix program. You access them by typing man program-name. Novices don't like them because they are written in computerese, but with a few pointers you can quickly gleen most of the info. The top of the man page gives a synopsis of how the command is used. Pay attention to this.

  

  You can get more detail on the options shown in the synopsis by looking at the options section of the manpage.

  Tip, unix options are denoted by a dash and letter combination (ie -C config.fil) while DOS denotes options by a slash and letter combination (ie /C config.fil)

  

  Near the bottom of the manpage are two more useful sections "Examples" (this example has no Examples section) and "See Also" a cross reference section that might point you to the program you are looking fore.

  

• You can also seek help from others but do so after you've done a little work yourself. No one likes their sleep interupted by someone too lazy to type man emacs.
  

  Last modified 9/14/95
  College of William and Mary, Dept. of Physics

  matt@physics.wm.edu