How to manipulate files in RedHat

In the ever-evolving world of Linux, RedHat stands out as one of the most prominent and trusted distributions. At its core lies the ability to effectively manage and manipulate files, a foundational skill every system administrator or enthusiast should master. File manipulation encompasses the basics of creating, reading, and deleting files and delves deeper into advanced tasks like searching, linking, and text processing. As you embark on this journey through RedHat’s file system, you’ll discover tools and techniques that have been refined over decades, designed to make your work efficient and powerful. Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking to refresh your knowledge or a beginner eager to dive into the Linux universe, this guide on manipulating files in RedHat is your indispensable companion.

You will learn how to:

Find Files

  • Find files
  • Read files
  • Manipulate test
  • Link files

Finding files is a crucial skill needed for any system admin.

Several operator flags are useful for the find command.

type

• f = regular file

Bash
find . -type f –name httpd.conf

• d = directory

Bash
find . –type d –name html

• l = symbolic link

Bash
find . –type l –name redhat-release

user

• File is owned by the user (username or UID)

Find top 5 files.

Bash
find -type f -exec du -Sh {} + | sort -rh | head -n 5

Reading Files

cat

This reads the file and outputs all of it to stdout.

less and more

“Also known as”pagers” these commands will output the contents of a file to the screen, but allow you to navigate through the file as well”Also known as “pagers” these commands will output the contents of a file to the screen, but allow you to navigate through the file as well

head and tail

These commands let you look at the lines starting at the top or bottom of the file, respectively.

Text Manipulation

sort

wc

This can be used to sort input alphabetically, numerically, or with different fields as the sort key. Sorting is also available in reverse.

“Short for”“word count,” this utility can count the number of lines, words, characters, bytes, and the length of the longest line in the file.”Short for “word count,” this utility can count the number of lines, words, characters, bytes, and the length of the longest line in the file.

diff

Usually used to generate patch files, diff can display the differences between two or more files.

Linking Files

The file name is a pointer to the inode

There are two types – 

  • hard link –  This is a link between files that point to the same inode
  • soft link – is a pointer, acts like a redirect
RHCSA MiniSeries 

Part 1 – How to use Grep and Regular Expressions (RegEx)

Part 2 – How to manipulate files in RedHat

Part 3 – Red Hat Permissions

Part 4 – How to change the root password on Red Hat

Part 5 – How to use Red Hat as a virtual machine host

Part 6 – How to configure local storage

Part 7 – how to manage users and groups in Red Hat Linux

Part 8 – how to configure NTP Network Time Protocol in Red Hat

Elsewhere On TurboGeek:  How to Install Mediawiki on a Ubuntu

Richard.Bailey

Richard Bailey, a seasoned tech enthusiast, combines a passion for innovation with a knack for simplifying complex concepts. With over a decade in the industry, he's pioneered transformative solutions, blending creativity with technical prowess. An avid writer, Richard's articles resonate with readers, offering insightful perspectives that bridge the gap between technology and everyday life. His commitment to excellence and tireless pursuit of knowledge continues to inspire and shape the tech landscape.

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