File Operation Commands in Linux (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 7 Jan, 2026

File Operation Commands in Linux are used to manage files within the filesystem, including creating, viewing, copying, moving, and deleting files. These commands help users efficiently organize and control file data through the terminal.

• Used to create, view, copy, move, rename, and delete files.
• Helps manage file content, size, and structure.
• Supports file searching, comparison, and sorting operations.
• Essential for daily file management and system administration tasks.

List of File Operation Commands

Below is a list of file operation commands that help in understanding how files are managed and manipulated in Linux.

1. basename

The basename command extracts the file name from a full file path. It removes directory information and displays only the file name.

• Removes directory path
• Useful in shell scripting
• Works with file paths

**Example:

basename /home/user/file.txt

**Output:

2. cat

The cat command displays the contents of a file on the terminal. It can also be used to concatenate multiple files.

• Displays file content
• Combines multiple files
• Creates files using redirection

**Example:

cat file.txt

**Output:

3. cksum

The cksum command generates a checksum and file size. It helps verify file integrity during transfers.

• Displays CRC checksum
• Shows file size
• Used for integrity checks

**Example:

cksum file.txt

**Output:

4. cmp

The cmp command compares two files byte by byte. It reports the first difference between files.

• Byte-level comparison
• Checks file equality
• Silent if files are same

**Example:

cmp file1.txt file2.txt

5. compress

The compress command reduces file size using compression. It creates files with a .Z extension.

• Reduces storage space
• Creates .Z files
• Older compression method

**Example:

compress example.txt

**Output:

6. cp

The cp command copies files or directories from one location to another. It is commonly used for backups.

• Copies files
• Copies directories with -r
• Preserves permissions with options

**Example:

cp file1.txt file2.txt

**Output:

7. cpio

The cpio command creates and extracts archive files. It is often used with pipes for backups.

• Archive creation
• Backup utility
• Works with standard input

**Example:

ls | cpio -o > backup.cpio

**Output:

8. csplit

The csplit command splits a file into multiple smaller files. It works based on patterns or line numbers.

• Splits large files
• Pattern-based splitting
• Useful for logs

**Example:

csplit file.txt /pattern/

**Output:

9. cut

The cut command extracts specific columns or fields from a file. It is mainly used with delimited text files.

• Extracts columns
• Works with delimiters
• Useful for CSV/text files

**Example:

cut -d: " " -f 2,3 sample.txt

**Output:

10. diff

The diff command compares files line by line. It shows the differences between two files.

• Line-by-line comparison
• Shows changes clearly
• Used in version control

**Example:

diff a.txt b.txt

**Output:

11. diff3

The diff3 command compares three files simultaneously. It is mainly used for resolving merge conflicts.

• Three-file comparison
• Merge conflict detection
• Developer-friendly

Example:

diff3 a.txt b.txt c.txt

**Output:

12. echo

The echo command prints text or variables to the terminal. It is widely used in shell scripts.

• Displays text
• Prints variables
• Supports redirection

**Example:

echo "Hello Linux"

**Output:

13. expand

The expand command converts tabs into spaces. It improves text formatting.

• Tab-to-space conversion
• Improves readability
• Text formatting tool

**Example:

expand file.txt

**Output:

14. file

The file command identifies the type of a file. It does not rely on file extensions.

• Detects file type
• Shows MIME type
• Useful for unknown files

**Example:

file script.sh

**Output:

15. fold

The fold command wraps long lines to a specified width. It improves text display.

• Line wrapping
• Adjustable width
• Formatting tool

**Example:

fold -w60 GFG.txt

**Output:

16. head

The head command displays the first lines of a file. By default, it shows the first 10 lines.

• Displays file start
• Custom line count
• Useful for logs

**Example:

head sample.txt

**Output:

17. less

The less command displays file content page by page. It allows forward and backward navigation.

• Page-wise viewing
• Scroll support
• Faster than more

**Example:

less file.txt

**Output:

18. join

The join command merges two files using a common field. Files must be sorted before joining.

• File merging
• Common-field based
• Database-style join

**Example:

join file1.txt file2.txt

**Output:

19. ln

The ln command creates links between files. It supports both hard and symbolic links.

• Creates shortcuts
• Hard and soft links
• File linking

**Example:

ln -s file.txt link.txt

**Output:

20. locate

The locate command searches files using a database. It provides faster results than find.

• Fast searching
• Database-based
• Requires updated database

**Example:

locate file.txt

**Output:

21. look

The look command displays lines starting with a given string. It works on sorted files.

• Prefix search
• Dictionary lookup
• Case-sensitive

**Example:

look "#include" Assignment.c

**Output:

22. more

The more command displays text one screen at a time. It is a basic file viewer.

• Page-wise display
• Simple navigation
• Older than less

**Example:

more sample.txt

**Output:

23. mv

The mv command moves or renames files and directories. It performs both actions using the same command.

• Renames files
• Moves files
• Overwrites existing files

**Example:

mv old.txt new.txt

**Output:

24. od

The od command displays file content in octal or other formats. It is useful for inspecting binary files.

• Binary display
• Debugging tool
• Multiple formats

**Example:

od file.txt

**Output:

25. paste

The paste command merges files line by line horizontally. It combines corresponding lines.

• Horizontal merge
• Line-by-line output
• Text processing tool

**Example:

paste a.txt b.txt

**Output:

26. readlink

The readlink command displays the target of a symbolic link. It resolves symlink paths.

• Resolves links
• Shows actual path
• Symlink utility

**Example:

readlink link.txt

**Output:

27. rename

The rename command renames files using patterns. It is useful for bulk renaming.

• Batch renaming
• Pattern-based
• Time-saving

**Example:

rename 's//.log/' *.txt

**Output:

28. rev

The rev command reverses characters in each line. It is a text manipulation utility.

• Line reversal
• Character-based
• Text processing

**Example:

rev file.txt

**Output:

29. rm

The rm command deletes files permanently. Deleted files cannot be recovered easily.

• Deletes files
• Recursive delete
• Dangerous command

**Example:

rm file.txt

**Output:

30. shred

The shred command overwrites files multiple times. It prevents data recovery.

• Secure deletion
• Overwrites data
• Security tool

**Example:

shred demo.txt

**Output:

31. sort

The sort command sorts lines in a file. It supports alphabetical and numeric sorting.

• Alphabetical sorting
• Numeric sorting
• Text organization

**Example:

sort file.txt

**Output:

32. split

The split command divides large files into smaller ones. It is size or line based.

• File splitting
• Size-based control
• Useful for large files

**Example:

split demo.txt part_

**Output:

33. tac

The tac command displays file content in reverse order. It prints lines from bottom to top.

• Reverse display
• Opposite of cat
• Log analysis

**Example:

tac tacxample.txt

**Output:

34. tail

The tail command shows the last lines of a file. It is widely used for log monitoring.

• Displays file end
• Live monitoring
• Adjustable line count

**Example:

tail file.txt

**Output:

35. tar

The tar command creates and extracts archive files. It is commonly used for backups.

• Archive creation
• File extraction
• Backup utility

**Example:

tar -cvf archivedemo.tar demo.txt folder1/

**Output:

36. tee

The tee command writes output to both file and terminal. It is commonly used with pipes.

• Dual output
• Logging support
• Pipe-friendly

**Example:

echo "Hello World" | tee demo.txt

**Output:

37. touch

The touch command creates empty files or updates timestamps. It is the fastest way to create a file.

• Empty file creation
• Timestamp update
• File management

**Example:

touch test.txt

**Output:

38. unexpand

The unexpand command converts spaces into tabs. It is the reverse of expand.

• Space-to-tab conversion
• Formatting utility
• Text cleanup

**Example:

unexpand file.txt

**Output:

39. uniq

The uniq command removes duplicate lines from a file. It works best on sorted files.

• Removes duplicates
• Line comparison
• Text processing

**Example:

uniq file.txt

**Output:

40. wc

The wc command counts lines, words, and characters. It is useful for text analysis.

• Line count
• Word count
• Character count

Example: wc file.txt

**Output: