FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Crossing Problem:

What are the things that I need to work on Crossing Problem/Assignment?

First of all make sure that you have a valid sod/abacus account
You need to write your version of the code in Prolog programming language
to-vrml.pl : This file generate temp.wrl with the help of findtext.pl and tocross.pl file
crossing4.pl: This is the cprolog file
findtext.pl: This file helps in generating the temp.wrl file with the help of to-vrml.pl and tocross.pl file
tocross.pl: This file helps in generating the temp.wrl with the help of findtext.pl and to-vrml.pl file
to-vrml.sh: This file combine the to-vrml.pl, findtext.pl and tocross.pl files togather.If we run this from the command line, it will generate temp.wrl file.
The output of the Crossing program which comes by running"to-vrml.sh" should be saved in a file named "typescript".
You need to have the cosmoplayer plug-in on the local machine. Most of the cluster machines have cosmoplayer plug-in already installed, so you don't need to worry about this. But if your are working from your home or any other computer make sure that you download the cosmoplayer plug-in from the link given below:

Note:

After downloading the plug-in it is very important that you read the instructions on how to install it.
DO NOT try to download the plug-in on the x-windows/sod/cluster windows machine

How do I work on my assignment with all these files?

Copy "to-vrml.pl", "crossing4.pl", "findtext.pl", "tocross.pl", and "to-vrml.sh" in your sod/abacus account. Make sure that you have your "typescript" file in the same directory. Run "to-vrml.sh" from the prompt. It takes the output from the file named "typescript" and generates the VRML world into a file named "temp.wrl". You can view the "temp.wrl" file in one of the cluster windows machines (Most of the cluster machines have cosmoplayer plug-in already installed).

             Open netscape browser and give the following URL:
                               ftp://username@cb02.cc.ndsu.nodak.edu/home/username/
                                           (if using sod account)
                                                  OR
                                 ftp://username@abacus.nodak.edu/home/username/
                                          (If using abacus account)

where username = your own user name
for eg: ftp://juell@cb02.cc.ndsu.nodak.edu/home/juell/
Then choose the appropriate directory in which you have the "temp.wrl" and then click on it to see the world.
You don't have to specifically give cb02. This signifies that you are connected to the 02 machine in the sod cluster. You can give any one of the machines from 01 to 12.
You cannot view the VRML world on the x-windows/sod machines as they do not have the VRML plug-in and neither can you install it.

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