CS 70

How to Work on a Lab Machine

Here's how to work on a lab machine!

We're assuming that you've already done the initial setup on the server, so all you need to do is connect and start working. If you haven't, follow the steps in Homework 0.

Log in to the Lab Machine

Log in to the lab machine as “Guest”.

Log Into the Server Using VS Code

Open the VS Code app. The first window that opens allows you to edit files on the hard drive of the computer you are using. On lab machines, those files are deleted when you log out, so you want to do your work on the CS 70 class server instead.

Click on the >< button in the lower-left corner of the window. In the pop-up menu, select Remote-SSH: Connect to Host... and enter username@cs70.cs.hmc.edu for the host (where username is replaced by your CS 70 server username). When prompted, enter the password you set above.

A new “remote” window will pop up! This window is essentially running on the remote computer cs70.cs.hmc.edu, so you can edit files stored on the server machine and run commands on the server.

  • LHS Cow speaking

    If you haven't connected through VS Code before, it might be a little bit slow at first as it initializes the remote connection. (It has to download a copy of itself to the server.)

  • RHS Cow speaking

    Connecting should be smoother once that's done!

  • Hedgehog speaking

    I need help again!

  • LHS Cow speaking

    Sure thing. See if this video showing Prof. Bang connecting to the server with VS Code helps. (Although he's using cs131.fun instead of cs70.cs.hmc.edu, the basics are the same.)

The >< button should change to add “SSH:cs70.cs.hmc.edu”, so you can be sure you're working in the right window. (You can close the local window, as you won't need it for anything.)

Get to Work!

You're now ready to work on your assignment! You should follow any additional directions on the assignment page in case there's any assignment-specific set up required, but otherwise you should be able to open and edit files from the server in VS Code just like you'd do on your own machine, run commands via VS Code's terminal panes, and so on.

(When logged in, completion status appears here.)