Exploring Cygwin on Windows: Guide to Installation, Terminal Commands, and Additional Features

In the world of Linux, Cygwin provides a seamless solution for Windows users to access and utilise Linux software and commands without the need for a separate Linux operating system. This article, co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA, and RaeAnn Duffy, offers a beginner's guide to installing and setting up Cygwin.

To begin, download the Cygwin installer from https://www.cygwin.com. During the installation process, you can choose your installation directory, temporary directory, and select software packages to install. Users have the option to choose any mirror from the list presented, as they all contain the same software.

Once the installation is complete, you can access the Command Line Interface (CLI) through the "Cygwin64 Terminal", which can be found in the Start menu. To open the terminal, simply click on "Cygwin64 Terminal", and a basic bash shell and prompt will appear.

Navigating through files in Cygwin is similar to navigating through a file in the micro editor. Use the "arrow" keys on your keyboard to move around a file. To find a specific file, use the command . This command is case-sensitive, so be sure to type the file name exactly as it appears.

Basic Linux commands you can use in Cygwin include (list directory), (clear console), (copy file(s)), (move file(s)), (delete file(s)), (create directory), (remove directory), (change current directory), (search), and (display/output text).

One of the most useful features of Cygwin is its ability to compare files using the command. To compare two files named FILE1.txt and FILE2.txt, use the command .

In addition, Cygwin allows you to find specific words within a file using the command. For example, to find all instances of "EXAMPLE" within the EXAMPLE.txt file, use the command . If you want to find text regardless of case, add the flag to the command. For example, to find all instances of "EXAMPLE" regardless of case, use the command .

It's worth noting that the syntax of a program varies by language, so the method of launching a program in micro is application-dependent. Once installed, you can start a program as an administrator in Cygwin by right-clicking the window and selecting the option to run as administrator.

Finally, if you use a proxy server to access the internet, you can enter that information during the installation process. Cygwin is a free command line interface that allows Linux software and commands to be used on Windows without installing Linux. Only the software in the "Base" category is installed by default, which includes common Linux tools like the bash shell, coreutils, gzip, tar, and necessary Cygwin libraries.

Users can rerun the installer anytime to install and update packages. Cygwin can be installed for "All Users" or "Just Me", providing flexibility for both individual and shared use. With this guide, you're now equipped to start exploring the world of Linux on your Windows machine with Cygwin.

Exploring Cygwin on Windows: Guide to Installation, Terminal Commands, and Additional Features