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.

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, inform the System Administrator.

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 do not have them, then add the following lines in your emacs initialization file:
      ;;; Allegro Common Lisp
      (load "/usr/dist/pkgs/acl70/xeli/fi-site-init.el")
      (setq fi:common-lisp-image-name "/usr/dist/pkgs/acl70/alisp")
    These lines tell xemacs how to interface comfortably with ACL (first line) and where to find the ACL image/executable.
  3. Exit emacs and re-start it by typing "xemacs &" in an xterm/console or from the dinosaur
  4. Start ACL by typing "ESC-x fi:common-lisp"

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 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. You should type them before you you start xemacs, then ACL, then composer...:

  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 cse-ferg42.unl.edu:0.0

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

Berthe Y. Choueiry

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