Accessing the Shared Class Folder

Owned by Giang Rudderham
Last updated: Aug 29, 2024
6 min read

On this page:

Introduction

  • The instructor of a class can request a shared storage space for the class.

  • After this shared storage space is set up, every time a student logs in to IDAS for their class, they will see a folder called classdata.

  • In JupyterLab, students will see the classdata folder on the JupyterLab Launcher page. Double-click on the folder to open it and view files in it.

 

classdata in JupyterLab

  • In RStudio, students will see the classdata folder on the right side, under Files in RStudio. Click on the folder to open it and view files in it.

classdata in RStudio

  • The path to the classdata folder from the Terminal is:

    • /home/HawkID/classdata, where HawkID is the user’s HawkID.

    • A different way to write the path to the folder is $HOME/classdata, where $HOME stands for /home/HawkID.

Copying files from classdata to your IDAS home directory

Why should students copy files from classdata to their IDAS home directories (outside of classdata)?

  • The classdata folder is a shared folder that is viewable by all students enrolled in the class. 

  • If a student edits files in classdata, those files will be changed for all students enrolled in the class. This can cause confusion.

  • We recommend that each student should copy files from classdata to their IDAS home directory (outside of classdata).

    • The files in the student’s IDAS home directory (outside of classdata) will only be viewable by the student.

    • The student can edit files in their IDAS home directory (outside of classdata) without affecting other students.

Using Terminal - Copy multiple files

When to use the Terminal to copy files from classdata?

  • You want to copy multiple files at the same time.

  • You are comfortable with using the Terminal or you want to learn to use the Terminal (the command line interface in IDAS).

  • You are using either JupyterLab or RStudio in IDAS. (The Terminal is available with both JupyterLab and RStudio in IDAS.)

 

1. Log in to the IDAS instance for your class - Accessing IDAS for Class Use

2. Start a Terminal session - Pick one of the options below:

a) Option 1: If you are using JupyterLab, click the Terminal tile under Other in your JupyterLab Launcher page:

 

b) Option 2: If you are using RStudio, click on the Terminal tab, which is next to the "Console" tab in RStudio:

 

 

3. To copy everything in the classdata folder to your IDAS home directory, run the following command in Terminal:

cp -ur $HOME/classdata/* $HOME

 

The cp command copies files and directories.

  • The -u option indicates copying only new and missing files to the destination.

  • The -r option indicates drilling down through the directory structure.

  • For more information on cp, please type in Terminal: cp --help.

$HOME is the path to your IDAS home directory. $HOME stands for /home/your_HawkID in IDAS, where your_HawkID is your HawkID.

 

Additional examples of the cp command:

  • To copy everything in the classdata folder to a folder called assignment1 in your IDAS home directory, run the following command in Terminal:

cp -ur $HOME/classdata/* $HOME/assignment1

 

  • To copy a specific file called file1.txt in classdata to the folder assignment1 in your IDAS home directory:

cp $HOME/classdata/file1.txt $HOME/assignment1

 

  • To copy multiple, specific files in classdata to the folder assignment1 in your IDAS home directory:

 

 

4. After a few seconds, you will see files appearing in the left panel in JupyterLab or under Files in RStudio. The images below are examples. The actual contents of your class might vary:

 

 

5. You have just copied the contents from classdata to your IDAS home directory. You can click on the files and folders outside of classdata to open and edit them.

Using JupyterLab - Copy a single file

 

1. Log in to the IDAS instance for your class - Accessing IDAS for Class Use

2. In the JupyterLab Launcher page, double-click on the classdata folder to open it.

 

3. Right-click on the file that you want to copy.

 

 

4. Select Copy.

 

 

5. Click the folder icon next to classdata above the list of files in the left panel.

 

 

6. This will take you back to your home directory, where you can select a location to put the file. Right-click anywhere in the box in the left panel, and select Paste.

 

7. This will paste the file from classdata to your IDAS home directory. You can click on the files and folders outside of classdata to open and edit them.

Using RStudio - Copy a single file

1. Log in to the IDAS instance for your class - Accessing IDAS for Class Use

2. Under Files in RStudio, click on the classdata folder to open it.

 

3. Check the box in front of the file that you want to copy.

 

4. Click More, then select Copy To.

 

5. A new window will pop up and allow you to choose the location to copy the file to. Click the Home icon next to classdata above the list of files.

 

6. This will take you to your IDAS home directory (outside of classdata). Choose a location where you want to copy the file to, then click Save.

 

7. You have copied the file from classdata to your IDAS home directory. You can click on the files and folders outside of classdata to open and edit them.

Permissions of classdata - Information for instructors

  • Typically, the instructor of the class can request a shared storage space (classdata) when they request IDAS for their class, before the semester begins - Requesting An IDAS Account.

  • The instructor can request one of the following permissions for students:

    • Read/Write: all students in the class can view, edit, create, and delete files in classdata.

    • Read Only: all students in the class can view files, but they can not edit, create, or delete files in classdata. This is the option that most instructors choose.

  • The instructor is the owner of classdata and has Read/Write access. Each classdata can only have 1 owner.

Other support articles

 

Contact

If you have any questions or comments, please contact research-computing@uiowa.edu.