[SOLVED] a basic question about program shorcuts

cruzdelsur · 09-26-2010, 05:39 PM

Hello guys,

I need help with a newbie issue... it's just a basic thing, but it is not working. I have installed R (in Trisquel 4, a gnome ubuntu-like distro), a software that must be used from the terminal. Therefore, I want to create a shortcut to it, to avoid typing the whole route to the program: i.e. just typing R and that the program starts...

So, here is what I did:

Code:

 sudo ln /bin/R-2.11.1./bin/R R

But when I type "R", it doesn't start.
Before you ask, yes, the folder is called "R-2.11.1." and the installation was succesfull because I have tried it and it works.
If I type

Code:

/bin/R-2.11.1./bin/R

, it does run...

So... where is my mistake? Do I need to move the shortcut somewhere else?

Thanks guys!

Soadyheid · 09-26-2010, 06:37 PM

I think you need a symbolic link, the command should be:

Code:

 sudo ln -s R /bin/R-2.11.1./bin/R

This should give a link called "R" to the pathname "/bin/R-2.11.1./bin/R"

It usually takes me a couple of times to get it right too.

Play Bonny!

GrapefruiTgirl · 09-26-2010, 07:02 PM

And actually, in the above example, the TARGET of the link (the R binary) should come before the LINKNAME (your new symlink), so:

Code:

ln -s /bin/R-2.11.1./bin/R /path/to/your/new/R

That's `ln` 1st form of usage, from the manpage:

Quote:

SYNOPSIS
ln [OPTION]... [-T] TARGET LINK_NAME (1st form)

And.. Make sure your new symlink is placed somewhere in your $PATH or the problem will still remain the same.

rkski · 09-26-2010, 11:13 PM

Do you really want an alias:

Code:

alias R='/bin/R-2.11.1./bin/R'

cruzdelsur · 09-27-2010, 08:24 AM

Well, thanks for your replies and ideas!! I'm not at my Linux computer right now, but when I come back home I'll give it a try!! I'll post later again! Thanks!

onebuck · 09-27-2010, 09:36 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzdelsur

Well, thanks for your replies and ideas!! I'm not at my Linux computer right now, but when I come back home I'll give it a try!! I'll post later again! Thanks!

You could setup a .bashrc & .bash_profile for your user;

Code:

sample .bash_profile;

Code:

 
 ~$ cat .bash_profile
 # .bash_profile
 #08-30-06 12:21
 #
 # Source .bashrc
 if [ -f ~/.bashrc ]; then
         . ~/.bashrc
 fi

Code:

 sample .bashrc;
 :~$ cat .bashrc
 
 #.bashrc
 #08-30-06 12:20 
 
 # Add bin to path
 
 export PATH="$PATH:/sbin:/usr/sbin:$HOME/bin"
 
 #export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/bin"
 
 # Dynamic resizing
 shopt -s checkwinsize
 
 # Custom prompt
 #PS1='\[\033[01;32m\]\u@\h\[\033[00m\]:\[\033[01;34m\]\w\[\033[00m\]\$ '
 
 #08-29-06 11:40
 
 if [ `id -un` = root ]; then
    PS1='\[\033[1;31m\]\h:\w\$\[\033[0m\] '
  else
    PS1='\[\033[1;32m\]\h:\w\$\[\033[0m\] '
 fi
 
 #
 # Add color
 eval `dircolors -b`
 
 # User defined aliases
 alias cls='clear'
 alias clls='clear; ls'
 alias ll='ls -l'
 alias lsa='ls -A'
 alias lsg='ls | grep'
 alias lsp='ls -1 /var/log/packages/ > package-list'
 alias na='nano'
 alias web='links -g -download-dir ~/ www.google.com'

#new User Alias for 'cruzdelsur'
alias uR='/bin/R-2.11.1./bin/R'

 #08-29-06 11:50
 
 #To clean up and cover your tracks once you log off
 #Depending on your version of BASH, you might have to use
 # the other form of this command
    trap "rm -f ~$LOGNAME/.bash_history" 0
 
 #The older KSH-style form
 #   trap 0 rm -f ~$LOGNAME/.bash_history

The .bashrc is very useful!

i92guboj · 09-27-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzdelsur

Hello guys,

I need help with a newbie issue... it's just a basic thing, but it is not working. I have installed R (in Trisquel 4, a gnome ubuntu-like distro), a software that must be used from the terminal. Therefore, I want to create a shortcut to it, to avoid typing the whole route to the program: i.e. just typing R and that the program starts...

What you probably want then is called an "alias", you should check the docs for your shell to discover how to set up an alias for a given command, in bash you just put the right command on your ~/.bashrc and/or ~/.bash_profile depending on what do you exactly want. "man bash" will give you more info about that.

Code:

alias r='/path/to/R'

Then just run "r" after restarting your shell.

Quote:

So, here is what I did:

Code:

 sudo ln /bin/R-2.11.1./bin/R R

But when I type "R", it doesn't start.
Before you ask, yes, the folder is called "R-2.11.1." and the installation was succesfull because I have tried it and it works.
If I type

Code:

/bin/R-2.11.1./bin/R

, it does run...

You are assuming that the current directory will be in your search $PATH, but that's not true in Linux for security reasons (unlike in DOS).

Quote:

So... where is my mistake? Do I need to move the shortcut somewhere else?

Thanks guys!

You either use an alias, or put the link into a directory that's in your path, or just add /bin/bin (weird path by the way) to your $PATH, that way you can run 'R' directly without needing any intermediaries.

cruzdelsur · 09-28-2010, 02:24 AM

Hi people!!
The alias did the trick!! Thank you all for your help!! You're great!!