CSCE476/876: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Instructions on using xemacs and Allegro Common Lisp (ACL)






First, learn how to use the (great) editor emacs, then try to run ACL from within emacs.  A terrific combination.

Instructions for startin and getting acquainted with Emacs.

On the PC under Linux:

  1. Start a PC under Linux and log yourself on the localhost
  2. Ensure you are using /usr/bin/X11/xemacs (by typing "which xemacs").   If you are not, inform the System Administrator.
On Solaris:
  1. Log to crow.unl.edu or another Solaris machine that has ACL installed (check with CSE System Administrators).
  2. Ensure you are using /usr/dist/bin/xemacs (by typing "which xemacs").   If you are not, then add the following line to your .cshrc file:
      3. alias xemacs        '/usr/dist/bin/xemacs'
    I personnaly prefer a white background and black foreground, but hey, be creative:
      alias xemacs        '/usr/dist/bin/xemacs -bg white -fg black'
Alternatively:
  1. Add the following lines to your .cshrc file, it should do the job.
      2.  # start
      alias xemacs.sun4 /usr/dist/bin/xemacs
      alias xemacs.i386-linux /usr/bin/X11/xemacs
      alias xemacs xemacs.$HOSTTYPE
      # end
Now you are read to start playing with emacs:
  1. Start xemacs by typing "xemacs &" in  an xterm/console (or through the dinosaur).
  2. The on-line tutorial can be obtained by typing "ESC-x help-with-tutorial" or by printing the same file stored here for your convenience. Go through the entire tutorial of Emacs,  and execute it step by step.


Instructions for starting Allegro Common Lisp  in Emacs (both PC/Linux and Solaris):

  1. Create, if you don't have one, a initialization file  for emacs (likely  ~/.xemacs/init.el  otherwise ~/.emacs).
  2. If you are not, then add the following line in your your emacs initialization file
  3. Add the following lines to your emacs initialization file:
      4. (load "/usr/dist/pkgs/acl/xeli/fi-site-init")
      (setq fi:common-lisp-image-name "/usr/dist/pkgs/acl/alisp")
    These lines tell xemacs how to interface comfortably with ACL (first line) and where to find the ACL image/executable.
  4. Exit emacs and re-start it  (by typing "xemacs &" in  a xterm/console or from the dinosaur)
  5. Start ACL by typing "ESC-x fi:common-lisp"
Warning about X:
Sometimes, especially when you are working remotely, you need to tell Xwindows to allow Lisp to open new windows and to tell the computer running your Lisp where to open up a window.  The following two commands (respectively) may be handy/necessary:
  1. From the machine you are sitting on: xhost +  (or xhost <the name of the machine where Lisp is running>)
  2. From the machine running the Lisp image: setenv DISPLAY  <the name of the specific station you are working on>.<domain-name>.<extension>:0.0.  For example: setenv DISPLAY tonfano.unl.edu:0.0


Using composer:

ACL has a terrific interactive development environment with a graphical inspector, debugger, profiler (time and space), etc. etc.  To use it, you check out "Start composer" button in the menu buttons of emacs.  Alternativelyt, type i n your *common-lisp* buffer the following:

(require 'composer)
(composer:start-composer) alternatively
You can also use the buttons on the top of the emacs window.

Warning:   you may need to tell X to allow composer to open up windows.  For this purpose, you need to type "xhost +" before you start xemacs, then ACL, then composer...
 

Please let us know quickly if you are encountering any problems. Contact the instructor and TAs during office hours or ask for an appointment.

Berthe Y. Choueiry

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