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Setup Options

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mike-snhu edited this page Aug 13, 2026 · 2 revisions

Setup Options

IT 140 supports a course development environment through the Codio Virtual Desktop (CVD) and, on supported computers, through a local installation.

You do not need to become an operating-system expert to choose. Start with the environment that gives you the most reliable way to complete your course work.

Recommended Starting Point

For most students, the simplest sequence is:

  1. Set up your GitHub account.
  2. Configure the CVD.
  3. Verify that the CVD works.
  4. If you want to work on your own computer, complete the local setup for that operating system.

The CVD is the course reference environment, so this sequence gives you access to an environment that matches course screenshots and demonstrations before you spend additional time on local installation.

Choose an Environment

Situation Good starting choice
You are new to programming or command-line tools CVD
You want the environment used in course screenshots and demonstrations CVD
You are using a school-, employer-, or family-managed computer CVD unless you know you have permission to install software
You want to work directly on your own supported computer Local setup, with the CVD available as another environment
You do not have administrator access on your computer CVD
Your local setup is taking too much time or is blocking course work CVD while you troubleshoot the local setup
You regularly use more than one computer CVD and/or a local setup on each supported computer you want to use

Codio Virtual Desktop (CVD)

The CVD is a cloud-based Linux desktop that opens through your web browser. It depends on an internet connection and Codio's remote infrastructure, but the course software runs in a standardized environment rather than depending on the software already installed on your computer.

Choose the CVD when you want:

  • The environment that most closely matches course screenshots and demonstrations
  • A course environment without installing the full IDE on your own computer
  • Another environment to use if a local computer has a problem
  • The environment instructors or technical support can most easily reproduce

Setup instructions: https://github.com/GC-STEM/it140-m1-setup-tasks/blob/main/codio/README.md

Local Windows, macOS, or Linux

A local course IDE runs directly on your own computer. Local installation can be convenient and remains available after the course, but real-world computers vary in operating-system versions, existing software, permissions, security controls, and prior configuration.

Before starting a local setup:

  • Use the compatibility check in that operating system's README.
  • Confirm that you are allowed to install software and make the documented changes.
  • Do not bypass controls on an employer-, school-, or family-managed computer.
  • Remember that most students need at most one local installation.

Setup instructions:

What Do the Setup Scripts Do?

The course uses automation scripts to make the development environment more consistent across supported platforms. You may see lifecycle names such as:

  • prepare_it140
  • install_it140
  • configure_it140
  • verify_it140
  • update_it140

You do not need to memorize the names. Follow the README for your environment in order. Each procedure tells you which script to run, what successful completion looks like, and what to do next.

For more about the tools installed by the automation, see What Is the Course IDE. For implementation details intended primarily for maintainers, see the main course repository's automation documentation.

If Local Setup Does Not Work

Use the CVD while you troubleshoot a local environment rather than allowing a local installation problem to block course work.

Then see Setup Problems and Support for help collecting diagnostic information and choosing the right support channel.

IT 140 Setup Tasks

Start Setup

Course Resources

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