Different Unix users often have different command prompts, and the command prompt can vary depending on which host you are using or which directory you are in.

Your prompt might be like one of the following:

   >
   kiwi@yakut02 $
   ~/releases/Beta-a24/workdir

or any of a wide variety of other formats.

For the purposes of this Workbook, commands that you should type in will be preceded by the simple prompt:

You can set this up this same prompt for yourself by using the following command:

   > set prompt='> '

Pay Attention to Your Current Directory

It is very important to pay attention to which directory you are currently in when you issue commands. This is known as your "current working directory."

At any time, you can check which directory you are currently working in by issuing the command

   > pwd

When it does not matter what directory you issue a command from, the Workbook examples will show a simple prompt, as in:

   > bjobs

When it does matter what directory you issue a command from, the Workbook examples will include the relevant part of the directory structure in the prompt, as in:

   Beta-a24/workdir> gmake setup

You can set your own prompt to always show you the current working directory, by using the command:

   > set prompt='%~> '

This is popular with new users, but more advanced users usually skip it since the very long directory paths of Babar software can give you an annoyingly long prompt.

Pay Attention to Upper and Lower Case

In entering any Unix commands, don't forget that Unix is usually case sensitive. Commands should be entered in exactly the upper and lower case shown.

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Author: Joseph Perl
Page maintained by: Jenny Williams

Last modification: 6 June 2005
Last significant update: 6 June 2005