Hello Everyone,

I just started a new job where they use alot of CSH scripts, and had a question about how to send both standard output and standard error to a file.

My Unix in a nutshell book says to use this method:

cmd >& file

This is the method that I am familar with.

However, at my new work place, the 'cmd >& file' isn't used at all, and instead all of the scripts use the following method:

cmd < /dev/null >& file

cmd in this case does NOT take anything from standard input. Why would someone do this? It seems pointless.

My coworkers think I am crazy to use the first method, but nobody can explain why the second method is better (They're crazy!)

Can anyone explain the difference between these two methods?

Thanks for your help,

-= Stefan

both direct stdout and stderr to file, but with 'cmd >& file' if cmd (unexpectedly)asks for input then it will just sit there and wait, 'cmd < /dev/null >& file' guarantees the program does not sit there waiting for input.

if you KNOW cmd will never ever take input then use method 1 but i prefer to play it safe and plan for the future, so i would use method 2 as it will work when cmd is updated.