Help in Creating a Script File on a Unix System

A "script" is typically a "screen capture" of commands being executed in the Unix operating environment. Creating a script file generally means that you are trying to capture in a text file, the interaction between the operating system (Unix) and the user. Most often this text file or "script" is then printed and turned in with a program assignment so that the instructor can see that the program executed correctly.

To create a basic script file, do the following:

  1. Turn the script ON (The default name of the file the script will record in is always named typescript unless you name it something else as shown later) at the command line
    script
    You will see a message back stating: Script command is started. File is typescript.

  2. Execute the command sequence that you want to capture (typically this means "run your program").
    java Hello

  3. Turn off the script
    exit

  4. Now you should see a message: Script command is complete. File is typescript.

  5. Now you may print the file containing your script, typescript, using the a2ps command, or you may want to look at it on the screen using the more command.
    a2ps    typescript    to print the script file
    more    typescript    to view the contents of the script file on the screen

  6. That's all!.

To create a script with a DIFFERENT name instead of typescript

  1. Turn the script ON (and give a name to the file the script will record in )
    script output.txt
    You will see a message back stating: Script command is started. File is output.txt.

  2. Execute the command sequence that you want to capture (typically this means "run your program").
    ./a.out     OR     java Hello

  3. Turn off the script
    exit

  4. Now you should see a message: Script command is complete. File is output.txt.

  5. Now you may print the file containing your script, output.txt, using a2ps, or you may want to look at it on the screen using the more command.
    a2ps    output.txt    to print the script file
    more    output.txt    to view the contents of the script file on the screen

  6. That's all!.
Here is an example of a script file creation: 
(/lbaker/www/HTML/cosc1123) $ script output.txt

Script command is started. The file is output.txt.

(/lbaker/www/HTML/cosc1123) $  java Hello 

Enter your name: Dr. Baker
Enter the grade you expect to earn in this course: A
Welcome to Computing Concepts I Dr. Baker, enjoy the course! 
We hope you earn the grade of A.

(/lbaker/www/HTML/cosc1123) $ exit

Script command is complete. The file is output.txt.

Now lets look at the contents of the file, output.txt

(/lbaker/www/HTML/cosc1123) $ more output.txt 


Script command is started on Thu Aug 29 15:49:58 CDT 2002.
(/lbaker/www/HTML/cosc1123) $ ./a.out
Enter your name: Dr. Baker
Enter the grade you expect to earn in this course: A
Welcome to Computing Concepts I Dr. Baker, enjoy the course! 
We hope you earn the grade of A.
(/lbaker/www/HTML/cosc1123) $ exit

Script command is complete on Mon Aug 27 15:50:13 CDT 2007.