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:
-
Start a PC under Linux and log yourself on the localhost
-
Ensure you are using /usr/bin/X11/xemacs (by typing "which
xemacs"). If you are not, inform the System Administrator.
On Solaris:
- Log to crow.unl.edu or another Solaris machine that has ACL
installed (check with CSE System Administrators).
-
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:
-
Start xemacs by typing "xemacs &"
in an xterm/console (or through the dinosaur).
- 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):
- Create, if you don't have one, a initialization file for emacs
(likely, ~/.xemacs/init.el,
otherwise ~/.emacs).
- 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.
- Exit emacs and re-start it by typing "xemacs &" in an xterm/console or from the
dinosaur
- 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...:
- From the machine you are sitting on: xhost + (or xhost
<the name of the machine where Lisp is running>)
- 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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