Linux file management commands to create, copy, move, and delete files

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This article describes some introductory Linux® file management commands to view, create, copy, move, and delete files and directories.

View directories and files

To view the files in a directory, use the ls command.

To view the contents of a file, use the cat command.

`ls` command

You can use the ls command to show the contents of a directory. ls command options, such as ls -lah, provide additional information. They include a listing of all files (including hidden files) in a human-readable, long-list view.

Syntax: ls directoryname

The following example shows the listing of an empty directory. ls returns no files, while ls -lah returns hidden files and directories. Directories are shown with a line starting with d.

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls
[root@server-01 testdir]#
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 8.0K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:46 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..

`cat` command

The cat command displays the contents of a file.

Syntax: cat filename

The following example shows how to view the contents of the Important file with the cat command:

[root@server-01 testdir]# cat Important
DON'T DELETE THIS TEXT.

Create a file

You can create files by using the following commands:

touch
cat >
>

`touch` command

The touch command creates empty files.

Syntax: touch newfilename

The following example uses the touch command to create the new files, demo and sample.txt:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 8.0K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:49 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
[root@server-01 testdir]# touch demo
[root@server-01 testdir]# touch sample.txt
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 8.0K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:50 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:50 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:50 sample.txt

You can also use the touch command to create multiple files with a single command.

The following example uses the touch command to create the new files, sample1, sample2, and sample3:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 8.0K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:50 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:50 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:50 sample.txt
[root@server-01 testdir]# touch sample1 sample2 sample3
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 8.0K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:52 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:50 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:52 sample1
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:52 sample2
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:52 sample3
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:50 sample.txt

`cat >` command

The cat > command creates a non-empty file by entering the contents after the greater-than sign.

Syntax: cat > text-to-be-added

The following example uses cat > followed by the content to create the new file, test.txt, with one line of content:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 8.0K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:57 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt
[root@server-01 testdir]# cat > test.txt
This is only a test.
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 12K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:57 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   21 Apr 14 01:57 test.txt

`>` command

Syntax: > newfilename

The standard redirect symbol, >, creates a single new file without any content or replaces an existing file with an empty file of the same name.

CAUTION: You should use the redirect symbol with care because you can accidentally overwrite existing files. These changes are permanent. You cannot recover the previous contents.

The following example uses > to create the new file, example.txt:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 12K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:59 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   21 Apr 14 01:58 test.txt
[root@server-01 testdir]# > example.txt
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 12K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 02:04 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   21 Apr 14 01:58 test.txt

The following example demonstrates how you can accidentally rewrite the contents of the existing file, Important:

[root@server-01 testdir]# cat Important
DON'T DELETE THIS TEXT.
[root@server-01 testdir]# > Important
[root@server-01 testdir]# cat Important
[root@server-01 testdir]#

Note: As previously mentioned, the redirect symbol can rewrite, as shown in the preceding example, with no option to recover lost data. If you rewrite critical files, this can cause catastrophic issues.

However, you can use two redirect symbols, >>, to append content to the end of a file. If no file exists, >> creates the file and adds the contents. If the file already exists, >> appends the new contents to the end of the file.

Syntax: >> filename

The following example uses >> to add the contents of change.txt to the end of the file, edit.txt. The >> command prevents a complete rewrite of edit.txt.

[root@server-01 testdir]# cat edit.txt
Examples
Are
[root@server-01 testdir]# cat change.txt
Great
[root@server-01 testdir]# cat change.txt >> edit.txt
[root@server-01 testdir]# cat edit.txt
Examples
Are
Great

Create a directory

Use mkdir* to create an empty directory.

Syntax: mkdir new-dirname

The following example uses mkdir to create the new directories, folder1 and folder2:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 12K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:14 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:10 Important
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   21 Apr 14 01:58 test.txt
[root@server-01 testdir]# mkdir folder1
[root@server-01 testdir]# mkdir folder2/
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 20K
drwxr-xr-x. 4 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:15 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:15 folder1
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:15 folder2
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:10 Important
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   21 Apr 14 01:58 test.txt

You can also use the mkdir command to create multiple directories with a single command.

The following example uses mkdir to create the new directories, folderA, folderB, and folderC:

[root@server-01 testdir]# mkdir folderA folderB folderC
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 32K
drwxr-xr-x. 7 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:16 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:15 folder1
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:15 folder2
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:16 folderA
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:16 folderB
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:16 folderC
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:10 Important
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   21 Apr 14 01:58 test.txt

Copy a file or directory

The cp command copies an existing file into a new file.

Syntax: cp orig-filename new-filename

The following example uses the cp command to make a new file, samplecopy.txt, from the existing file, sample.txt:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 12K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:19 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:15 folder1
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt
[root@server-01 testdir]# cp sample.txt samplecopy.txt
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 12K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:29 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:15 folder1
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 03:29 samplecopy.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt

The following example uses cp -r to make a new directory, copyfolder1, from an existing directory, folder1:

[root@server-01 testdir]# cp -r folder1 copyfolder1
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 16K
drwxr-xr-x. 4 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:32 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:32 copyfolder1
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:15 folder1
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 03:29 samplecopy.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt

Move a file or directory

You can use the mv command to move a file into another directory.

Syntax: mv filename destination

The following example uses the mv command to move sample.txt from its current directory to the folder1 directory:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 16K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   19 Apr 14 03:49 edit.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:15 folder1
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt
[root@server-01 testdir]# mv sample.txt folder1/
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 16K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   19 Apr 14 03:49 edit.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 folder1
[root@server-01 testdir]# cd folder1
[root@server-01 folder1]# ls -lah
total 8.0K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 .
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 sample.txt

As you can see, sample.txt moved from the previous directory and now shows in the folder1 directory.

You can also use the mv command to rename existing files or directories.

The following example uses the mv command to rename the demo file to newdemo:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 16K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 demo
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   19 Apr 14 03:49 edit.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 folder1
[root@server-01 testdir]# mv demo newdemo
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 16K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 04:11 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   19 Apr 14 03:49 edit.txt
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 02:04 example.txt
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 folder1
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root    0 Apr 14 01:57 newdemo

The following example uses mv to rewrite the demo file with the final file. This action replaces demo.

[root@server-01 testdir]# cat demo
This is a Newer Version of Demo.
[root@server-01 testdir]# cat final
Demo Replaced by Final Version.
[root@server-01 testdir]# mv final demo
mv: overwrite ‘demo’? y
[root@server-01 testdir]# cat demo
Demo Replaced by Final Version.
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 16K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 04:26 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   32 Apr 14 04:24 demo
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 newfolder1

CAUTION: Using the mv command to overwrite an existing file is permanent. You cannot recover the previous file.

Delete a file

Use the rm command to remove a file.

Syntax*: rm filename

The following example uses the rm command to remove the existing file, demo:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 16K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 04:26 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root   32 Apr 14 04:24 demo
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 newfolder1
[root@server-01 testdir]# rm demo
rm: remove regular file ‘demo’? y
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 12K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 04:31 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 newfolder1

CAUTION: Using the rm command to remove an existing file is permanent. You cannot recover the previous file.

Delete an empty directory

Use the rmdir command to remove an empty directory.

Syntax: rmdir directoryname

The following example uses the rmdir command to remove an empty directory, emptyfolder:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 16K
drwxr-xr-x. 4 root root 4.0K Apr 14 04:35 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 04:35 emptyfolder1
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 newfolder1
[root@server-01 testdir]# rmdir emptyfolder1
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 12K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 04:36 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 newfolder1

Delete a non-empty directory

The rmdir command cannot remove a directory with contents in it, as shown in the following example:

 [root@server-01 testdir]# rmdir newfolder1
 rmdir: failed to remove ‘newfolder1’: Directory not empty

However, you can use rm with the option -r to remove a directory that has content.

Syntax:: rm -r directoryname

The following example uses rm -r to remove the non-empty directory, newfolder1, and its file, sample.txt:

[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 12K
drwxr-xr-x. 3 root root 4.0K Apr 14 04:36 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 03:58 newfolder1
[root@server-01 testdir]# rm -r newfolder1
rm: descend into directory ‘newfolder1’? y
rm: remove regular empty file ‘newfolder1/sample.txt’? y
rm: remove directory ‘newfolder1’? y
[root@server-01 testdir]# ls -lah
total 8.0K
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 4.0K Apr 14 04:43 .
dr-xr-x---. 8 root root 4.0K Apr 14 01:47 ..

CAUTION: Using the rm command to remove an existing directory is permanent. You cannot recover the previous directory and contents.

Updated 12 months ago