Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)?

[eldobbins]

Hi;

I'm wondering if you all think that Windows Subsystem for Linux is mature enough to suggest as an option for Windows users doing the shell/python/git workshops. I looked at the install instructions and it seemed a little high-end to me, but I'm primarily a Mac/Linux user.

I read the long discussion of Cygwin #391 and it seemed that back then, it couldn't be assumed that all users were using Windows 10. Has that changed?

If it's worth trying, I can give it a go and write a PR.

[rbavery]

I'm interested in exploring this and I think WSL will be the easiest option in the future to set folks up with a bash terminal. I got some feedback on twitter from wsl devs, who mentioned that soon it will be a one line command to install and set up an ubuntu subsystem as the default windows terminal entry point: https://mobile.twitter.com/unixterminal/status/1338498465601630210

Docs on this here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10

Once this is out of the Windows Insiders beta program and is a feature of any up-to-date Windows 10 installation I think it might make sense to make wsl.exe --install the suggested method to get set up with a bash terminal. Then, learners can use the linux instructions to get set up with git and Anaconda.

On Sun, Dec 27, 2020, 8:26 PM Liz Dobbins [email protected] wrote:

Hi;

I'm wondering if you all think that Windows Subsystem for Linux https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/ is mature enough to suggest as an option for Windows users doing the shell/python/git workshops. I looked at the install instructions and it seemed a little high-end to me, but I'm primarily a Mac/Linux user.

I read the long discussion of Cygwin #391 https://github.com/carpentries/workshop-template/pull/391 and it seemed that back then, it couldn't be assumed that all users were using Windows 10. Has that changed?

If it's worth trying, I can give it a go and write a PR.

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[zkamvar]

a feature of any up-to-date Windows 10 installation

I do like the idea of encouraging people to use WSL, but I think this point is important: we cannot expect everyone to have an up-to-date Windows installation. I think a good model to use is to keep track of what other software we use support.

• Anaconda: Windows 10/8
• R Studio: Windows 10/8/7
• Zoom: Windows 10/8/7

It's also worth noting that Windows 8.1 still has support for two more years.

That being said, It might be worthwhile making a separate section for Windows 10 users once the oneliner is out of Beta.

[eldobbins]

I followed the instructions at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10 I don't think it's easy enough for beginners.

• The install is PowerShell-based and the commands are quite long. This seems ironic since we are teaching shell (but a different, better one)
• The required versions of Windows are pretty specific.
• There are many versions of Linux available so we'd have to decide which is best.
• There are 2 versions currently: WSL1 and WSL2. First you install WSL1 then upgrade to WSL2. This gets a little jumbled toward the end of the install.
• I got an error code that the instructions above translate to this error:

Please make sure that virtualization is enabled inside of your computer's BIOS. The instructions on how to do this will vary from computer to computer, and will most likely be under CPU related options.

• I got past that, but I had to Google it because how to enter BIOS varies by computer manufacturer.
• You have to create a username (lowercase!) and password.

On the other hand, it comes with Git. And you access it via a Windows terminal window - not a complicated VM; that part is very nice and clean. Because it is integrated with Windows, it would be useful for an intermediate user looking to transition to shell-based life without giving up Windows.

[rbavery]

I do like the idea of encouraging people to use WSL, but I think this point is important: we cannot expect everyone to have an up-to-date Windows installation. I think a good model to use is to keep track of what other software we use support.

I agree I think that's a good model to use. It sounds like we should maintain the current instructions for at least 2 years. I like the idea of providing a Windows 10 section once the instructions are out of Insiders since it seems like it will make setup easier for many folks.

I followed the instructions at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10 I don't think it's easy enough for beginners.

I'll keep monitoring this docs page to see when the "Simplified Installation for Windows Insiders" become the main instructions on this page, and then maybe then it's a good time to start on a PR (and I'm happy to contribute). I agree that the Manual install instructions are too cumbersome to suggest.