3 Installing a Command Line Interface

The following instructions are for Windows users only. Mac and Linux both come pre-installed with Unix-ready command line interfaces, whereas Windows does not. Interested to know why? This article offers a nice overview of the history of different operating systems.

3.1 Git Bash

Windows users may install any one of a number of applications that emulate the Unix command line and provide direct access to your normal files. We recommend Git Bash, which is included when you install Git, a version control system. Git Bash smoothly integrates with your machine’s file system, and installing it alongside Git will prepare you for later data-driven work (not to mention the DataLab’s Introduction to Version Control and Reproducible Research for Teams with GitHub workshops!).

3.2 Installing Git and Git Bash

The DataLab has a short, 10-minute tutorial on installing Git and Git Bash. It walks through some brief configuration options and then shows you how to verify that your installation has worked. You can find this tutorial at the DataLab Install Guides page. Under “1. Command Line Tools,” you’ll want to look for section 1.1: “Git.”

If you are not able to successfully install Git/Git Bash on your own machine, please attend DataLab’s Virtual Office Hours. Click here for more information and to receive a Zoom link.