Go to the previous, next section.
Each time you log in, your log-in files are executed. These files
establish your particular computing environment for that session, and
may be modified to suit your personal needs. The login files will,
for example, assign certain functions to specific keys -- like the
erase function is assigned to the BS (backspace) key -- or
determine where commands will be found on the system. They determine
what abbreviations you can use and what characteristics your terminal
has. These files are called `.login' and `.cshrc' if your
login shell is csh, and `.profile' if your login shell is
sh. Each of the different shells might have specific
initialization files. You should check the man pages on the specific
shell to get the specific information.
You can find your login shell by saying: finger login_name
You can set your own abbreviations and terminal characteristics by
using the alias and stty commands. You put these
commands in your log-in files using an editor. Once you've modified
your log-in files, your settings will be set in place every time you
log in. Be careful--mistakes can make it possible that you can't
login again.
The default shell that the system comes with here at PSU is C-shell. To change your default shell you need to run the program chsh. To learn how to use the chsh program refer to the man page of chsh. To get help using the man command, section Man Command.
Go to the previous, next section.