1: Set-Up Your Developer Workspace

October 18, 2023

Objective: The purpose of this lab exercise is to set up a developer workspace on your computer. Throughout this semester you will be using this workspace to complete the remaining 7 hands-on lab assignments.

Let's get started! :)

Operating system-specific instructions

Please follow the instructions for your operating system. If you experience any confusion or have concerns, then ask a friend or the instructor.

Windows users

Install Windows Subsystem for Linux

  • WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is a compatibility layer within Windows that enables users to run a Linux environment directly on their Windows machines. WSL offers a convenient solution for collaborative development and learning in a class with multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS, and Linux) by providing a consistent and unified environment for all students.

Installing WSL

  1. Launch PowerShell (the application should be pre-installed on Windows 7 or newer devices)

    1. Open the Windows Start menu and search for "Powershell".

    2. Click on the Powershell app to launch it.

  2. Run the following command:

wsl --install

Note: If you run into any issues, please check out the official installation troubleshooting guide from Microsoft

Configuring your Linux username and password

Please prepare a text document or sticky note on your desk where you will write down some important values you'll need throughout this semester. Although this form of back-up is not the best security, it is good enough for learning the basics in this class. Put this document or note somewhere on your computer or desk so you don’t easily forget or lose it.

The following instructions are copy+pasted directly from Microsoft Docs because the steps are already very clear.

Instructions:

Once the process of installing your Linux distribution with WSL is complete, open the distribution (Ubuntu by default) using the Start menu. You will be asked to create a User Name and Password for your Linux distribution.

  • This User Name and Password is specific to each separate Linux distribution that you install and has no bearing on your Windows user name.

  • Please note that whilst entering the Password, nothing will appear on screen. This is called blind typing. You won't see what you are typing, this is completely normal.

  • Once you create a User Name and Password, the account will be your default user for the distribution and automatically sign-in on launch.

  • This account will be considered the Linux administrator, with the ability to run sudo (Super User Do) administrative commands.

  • Each Linux distribution running on WSL has its own Linux user accounts and passwords. You will have to configure a Linux user account every time you add a distribution, reinstall, or reset.

Source: Microsoft Learn Docs

If you run into any problems, then try working with a classmate to troubleshoot the issue. If that doesn't work after 10-15 minutes, please reach out to the instructor.

Installing Windows Terminal

Click the install button found at this link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/terminal/install#install

Update and Upgrade Packages

  1. Launch Windows Terminal

    1. Open the Windows Start menu and search for "Windows Terminal".

    2. Click on the Windows Terminal app to launch it.

  2. Open an Ubuntu Shell:

    1. In Windows Terminal, you should see a list of available profiles on the left side.

    2. Look for the Ubuntu profile and click on it.

    3. If you don't see the Ubuntu profile, click on the down arrow (∨) next to the plus sign (+) to open the drop-down menu and select "Ubuntu".

    4. Wait for the Ubuntu shell to start.

  3. Run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

macOS users

By default, macOS users can directly use the built-in Terminal app without any additional configuration steps. The Terminal app is pre-installed on macOS and provides a command line interface.

  1. Open the Terminal app on macOS

    1. Open the Finder by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or by pressing Command + Spacebar and typing "Finder" in Spotlight.

    2. In the Finder, go to the "Applications" folder.

    3. Open the "Utilities" folder.

    4. Double-click on the "Terminal" app to launch it.

Once the Terminal app is open, macOS users can start using the command line interface and execute various commands.

Linux users

Linux users typically do not need to perform any specific configuration steps to use the Terminal app. In most Linux distributions, the Terminal app, or a similar terminal emulator, is readily available and pre-installed. It can be accessed directly from the desktop or through the application launcher.

Upon opening the Terminal app, Linux users will have immediate access to the command line interface and can start executing commands without any additional configuration. The Terminal app in Linux provides a native and seamless integration with the Linux operating system, which makes it straightforward for users to work with.

All operating systems

Install Docker Desktop (instructions at link)

Install Microsoft Visual Studio Code (instructions at link)

Deliverable

10 points total

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