Running XSIS

This page provides information on running XSIS on your Linux, Windows and CS (CLIC) machines. Make sure you have read the webpage on getting started with SIS 1.3 before proceeding on to the rest of this page.

Running XSIS on Linux machines

SIS is in included in the SIS 1.3 installation . If you have installed SIS 1.3 and set up the proper environment on your Linux machine for homework #1 already then go to step b.

  a. Download the installation from the website into a local directory.
  b. open a terminal in linux.
  c. Type "sudo su -"
  d. Type in your password.
  e. Type  "ln -s /usr/lib/libXaw7.so.7 /usr/lib/libXaw.so.6"
  f. Go to the bin directory in the sis1.3 installation directory. for eg sis1.3/bin/
  g. Type "./xsis" to start xsis

Look at Troubleshooting if you face any problems.

Running XSIS on Windows machines

Unfortunately there is no XSIS for Windows. If you want to run the tool from your Windows machine, you will need to log into a CS (CLIC) machine and run the tool remotely.

You have to use linux like environment provided by cygwin. Download and Install cygwin. This webpage clearly tells you how to do this. Make sure you install ssh and xterminal utilities when you install cygwin. Follow the link to understand how to install these.

Once you have installed these utilities log in to CS (CLIC) machines (i.e. type ssh -Y -l<your username> clic.cs.columbia.edu) from cygwin.  

Add ~cs6861/bin to your PATH environment variable. For example, if you use bash shell, do  "export PATH=$PATH:~cs6861/sis1.3/bin"

To run xsis you will need to specify to the tool where the sis binary is. You can do so by using the "-sis" option with xsis. Type  "xsis -sis ~cs6861/sis1.3/bin/sis"

You should see the xsis window pop up.

Look at Troubleshooting if you face any problems.

Running XSIS on CS machines

If you have a CS account, log in to a CS (CLIC) machine (i.e. ssh to clic.cs.columbia.edu ), which are Linux machines. 

Add ~cs6861/bin to your PATH environment variable. For example, if you use bash shell, do  export PATH=$PATH:~cs6861/sis1.3/bin

To run xsis you will need to specify to the tool where the sis binary is. You can do so by using the "-sis" option with xsis. Type "xsis -sis ~cs6861/sis1.3/bin/sis"

You should see the xsis window pop up.

Look at Troubleshooting if you face any problems.
 

Important points to note while running XSIS

• To run XSIS remotely goto "~cs6861/sis1.3/bin/"directory and type "./xsis -sis ~cs6861/sis1.3/bin/sis". You should see the "SIS>" prompt on your screen.
• Always use 'absolute' path when you are providing the <filename> while solving the homework problems. Do not use relative paths. For eg: To specify the path of a file present in the sis directory in you home directory use "/home/<your username>/sis1.3/sis/<filename>" instead of saying "../sis/<filename>" .
• The Mini-project requires you to use the "mcnc.gen" library. It can be found in the following path "~cs6861/sis1.3/sis/sis_lib" where sis1.3 is the installation directory. Remember to use the complete path (including the name of the file) when you specify the filename.
• The Mini-project also refers to a script called "rugged.script". This script file can be found in the following path "~cs6861/sis1.3/sis/sis_lib" where sis1.3 is the installation directory. Remember to use the complete path when you specify the filename.
• Type "quit" to exit XSIS.

Documentation

• BLIF format documentation (optional) (HTML, PS)
• SIS Man Page (optional). This provides information on various SIS commands. Use this to know more about 'command' usage.

Online Tool Help

To use the help available with the tool you need to enter the following command in the GUI:

set open_path $SIS_INSTALLATION_DIR/sis1.3/sis/sis_lib

In case you are running on a CLIC machine, $SIS_INSTALLATION_DIR is /home/cs6861.