[SOLVED] Capturing output of command

PleaseHelpMeUnderstand · 04-24-2016, 02:30 PM

If I want to write a command that would capture the output of the command: ls -l /home/newbie to a file named: newbielisting in my current directory; would this command be ok to use?
ls –l /home/newbie >> newbielisting

jailbait · 04-24-2016, 03:35 PM

Yes, that will work. Each time that you run the command it will add the latest listing to the end of newbielisting.

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Steve Stites

Turbocapitalist · 04-24-2016, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jailbait

it will add the latest listing to the end of newbielisting.

The >> will add to the target file and a single > by itself will simply replace the whole target file.
The > and >> are "redirects" which can get quite fancy as you get more familiar with them.

PleaseHelpMeUnderstand · 04-25-2016, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbocapitalist

The >> will add to the target file and a single > by itself will simply replace the whole target file.
The > and >> are "redirects" which can get quite fancy as you get more familiar with them.

Is there a right or wrong to > and >> in my case?

Turbocapitalist · 04-25-2016, 11:47 AM

If you want the file to contain only one set then > is right, because it will overwrite the target file each time.

If you want the file to keep growing then >> is right, because it will keep appending the new output to the target file each time.

Your choice, depending on what you want to do.