[GRASS-user] Unix and Grass commands in Windows

GRASS GRASS user
1

Hi Folks

Just wondering how best to execute Unix and Grass commands using Grass 6/7.0. I’m running Windows Vista, and had started installing Cygwin, but this seems to be massive, and not even sure if this is the best environment, as some users don’t seem happy about it. I had initially thought I could use the Console window, but this appears not to accept Unix commands. I also tried the included MySys Unix console which appears to be a Bash shell, but this does not recognise Grass commands.

What would you recommend is the best option if I want to use Grass quite a lot, but don’t want to convert my PC to a fully fledged Linux system (unless that really is the best option, such as using an emulator).

Thanks

Stephen

2
···

Consider the option to install a virtual machine running Linux. Gives you the best of both worlds. You might choose the OSGeo Live DVD as your source for the virtual machine. It runs Xubuntu, and you’ll have right from the get go GRASS 6.4 all the other GIS software you could want.
You’ll find instructions on how to setup the Live DVD as a virtual machine (with VirtualBox) right in the help files on the DVD. And after install the “Guest Addons” in the new VM, you’ll be able to share folders between the VM and the host Windows computer, so you’ll have access to any results from your Linux GRASS work back on the Windows machine.

Best,
Micha

On 21/04/2013 13:55, Stephen Brearley wrote:

Hi Folks

Just wondering how best to execute Unix and Grass commands using Grass 6/7.0. I’m running Windows Vista, and had started installing Cygwin, but this seems to be massive, and not even sure if this is the best environment, as some users don’t seem happy about it. I had initially thought I could use the Console window, but this appears not to accept Unix commands. I also tried the included MySys Unix console which appears to be a Bash shell, but this does not recognise Grass commands.

What would you recommend is the best option if I want to use Grass quite a lot, but don’t want to convert my PC to a fully fledged Linux system (unless that really is the best option, such as using an emulator).

Thanks

Stephen

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Micha Silver
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3

Thanks Micha

I’ll have a look at this. I am trying to optimise the number of applications on my system to have a limited number that I can actually use, yet cover all evils!! Want to concentrate on processing and interpreting data, rather than installing more GB. Creating a Linux partition is extra housekeeping, but as you say, may be the best option. Would like to get everything on a modest laptop, or even a subset of tools on my phablet…(another day!)

Can you tell me what is the best Windows-based solution as well please, -to compare?

Can’t help feeling there is something built into Grass 7.0, that is right under my nose.

Thanks

S

From: Micha Silver [mailto:micha@arava.co.il]
Sent: 21 April 2013 13:45
To: Stephen Brearley
Cc: grass-user@lists.osgeo.org
Subject: Re: [GRASS-user] Unix and Grass commands in Windows

Consider the option to install a virtual machine running Linux. Gives you the best of both worlds. You might choose the OSGeo Live DVD as your source for the virtual machine. It runs Xubuntu, and you’ll have right from the get go GRASS 6.4 all the other GIS software you could want.
You’ll find instructions on how to setup the Live DVD as a virtual machine (with VirtualBox) right in the help files on the DVD. And after install the “Guest Addons” in the new VM, you’ll be able to share folders between the VM and the host Windows computer, so you’ll have access to any results from your Linux GRASS work back on the Windows machine.

Best,
Micha

On 21/04/2013 13:55, Stephen Brearley wrote:

Hi Folks

Just wondering how best to execute Unix and Grass commands using Grass 6/7.0. I’m running Windows Vista, and had started installing Cygwin, but this seems to be massive, and not even sure if this is the best environment, as some users don’t seem happy about it. I had initially thought I could use the Console window, but this appears not to accept Unix commands. I also tried the included MySys Unix console which appears to be a Bash shell, but this does not recognise Grass commands.

What would you recommend is the best option if I want to use Grass quite a lot, but don’t want to convert my PC to a fully fledged Linux system (unless that really is the best option, such as using an emulator).

Thanks

Stephen

This mail was received via Mail-SeCure System.

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-- 

Micha Silver

GIS Consulting

052-3665918

[http://www.surfaces.co.il](http://www.surfaces.co.il)
4

Stephen Brearley wrote:

Just wondering how best to execute Unix and Grass commands using Grass
6/7.0. I'm running Windows Vista, and had started installing Cygwin, but
this seems to be massive, and not even sure if this is the best environment,
as some users don't seem happy about it. I had initially thought I could use
the Console window, but this appears not to accept Unix commands.

The console window doesn't recognise any commands; it's the shell
which is run in it which executes commands.

If you use the "Command Prompt" entry in the start menu, you'll get a
console window running cmd.exe (largely backward-compatible with DOS).

MSys and Cygwin each offer a version of bash, along with some
utilities. Cygwin provides a higher degree of Unix compatibility, but
is more heavyweight.

MSys and Cygwin each include a terminal emulator (rxvt for MSys,
mintty for Cygwin), and the corresponding icon uses this terminal
emulator to run bash. However, either version of bash can be run in a
Windows console window if that is preferred.

I also tried the included MySys Unix console which appears to be a
Bash shell, but this does not recognise Grass commands.

GRASS commands are designed to be run inside of a GRASS "session".
Essentially, this requires certain environment variables to be set
(e.g. GISBASE must contain the path to the GRASS installation, GISRC
must contain the path to a file containing certain settings, PATH must
include the directories containing GRASS programs and DLLs).

GRASS is supplied with a batch file which sets the various environment
variables then starts a shell and/or a GUI.

>What would you recommend is the best option if I want to use Grass quite a
lot, but don't want to convert my PC to a fully fledged Linux system (unless
that really is the best option, such as using an emulator).

GRASS 7 should run "natively" on Windows, i.e. it shouldn't require
bash or any Unix utilities. GRASS 6.x requires bash and standard
utilities in order to run various shell scripts (these have been
converted to Python in GRASS 7).

The Cygwin version should only be used if you particularly want a Unix
environment but only have a Windows system.

--
Glynn Clements <glynn@gclements.plus.com>