File commands

File Commands

File Search

• find - Versatile tool for searching for files based on name, size, date, etc.
• locate - Lists all files with a given word in the name
• whereis - Finds commands, source, and manpages
• which - Finds commands on the path
• grep - Searches for text/patterns within a file

File Analysis

• cksum - Calculate the checksum of a file.
• diff - Find differences between two files.
• file - Determine file type.
• ls - List the contents of a directory.
• lsattr - List the attributes of a file.
• md5sum - Calculate or check the MD5 checksum of a file
• wc - Displays line, word and character count for specified filename.

File Manipulation

• cp - Copy a file from one location to another.
• dd - Copies a file and performs various conversions at the same time.
• some dd examples - This is good stuff. Must read for anyone serious about Linux
• du - Shows disk usage of files
• install - Copy file(s), preserving permissions.
• ln - Create a link to a file.
• mv - Rename or move a file.
• rename - Another renaming tool
• rm - Remove (delete) a file.

File Attribute Manipulation

• chgrp - Change the group ownership of a file or directory.
• chmod - Change the mode (access permissions) of a file or directory.
• chown - Change the ownership of a file or directory.
• getfacl - View the acl permissions associated with the file or directory.
• setfacl - Change the acl permissions associated with the file or directory.
• touch - Update access times or, potentially, create a file.

File usage

• lsof - List all currently opened files
• fuser - List which processes that are currently using a specific file