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I've been given a basic Linux assignment in my Computer Concepts class, and I *think* I managed to enter all the commands and get the results expected. But I also have to define terms relating to Linux, and I've found everything except >>. I actually used it in my exercise: Type echo “enter_your_name_here” >> test2, but I'm not sure exactly what it did. Can anyone help?
I really appreciate your help! I was surprised to find I actually enjoyed playing around with Linux. It was fun to use the commands and see things happen.
Head on a Stick told me that > would replace the content with the output. In this Linux exercise, our first step is to create a file named test1, using the touch command. The following step is to type echo "This is a test" > test1. Typing cat test1 shows This is a test. So am I understanding this correctly when I think test1 has been replaced with This is a test? When I try to duplicate the effect, I'm not successful.
'touch test1' creates a empty file named test1 if only no such file exists.
So better do 'echo abc > test1'
Then check with 'cat test1'
Then again put some text with 'echo def > test1'
Then check with 'cat test1'
So you would see abc replaced with def.
Basically, when talking about files, take care to be explicit about whether you are talking about the file as a whole, the filename, or the file content...
'cat' is short for catalogue (way back when) - basically types out the content of the file to stdout
touch is used to create a file (also to alter timestamps)
echo 'string' > file puts 'string' into file REPLACING current content ( '>>' appends to current content)
NB: this means that '>file' empties the file
I got a perfect score on my Linux lab, and actually learned a lot! The professor suggested working with DOS as well as Apple (ugh) to see similarities and differences. Apparently learning directory hierarchies was one of the goals here.
This is definitely fun for me to play with, but when do you actually use Linux in this way?
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyingmouse77
This is definitely fun for me to play with, but when do you actually use Linux in this way?
One could, I suppose, install and use modern Linux day in day out and only in rare cases have to touch the command line (much as with Windows) but for me, and others I suspect, typing a few commands to update the system and install packages seems more straightforward than messing with a GUI and in the case of my Pi, for example, I don't have a monitor or input devices attached so it is much easier to use SSH to get into it and work on the command line.
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But I also have to define terms relating to Linux, and I've found everything except >>. I actually used it in my exercise: Type echo “enter_your_name_here” >> test2, but I'm not sure exactly what it did. Can anyone help?
Thank You!
