Lesson 4: Linux File Operations

Introduction to File Operations

Linux file operations allow DevOps engineers to manage configuration files, logs, scripts, and application data efficiently across servers.

Creating Files and Directories

• touch – create empty files
• mkdir – create directories
• mkdir -p – create nested directories

Viewing File Contents

• cat – display file content
• less and more – paginated viewing
• head and tail – view beginning or end of files

Copying and Moving Files

• cp – copy files and directories
• cp -r – recursive directory copy
• mv – move or rename files

Deleting Files and Directories

• rm – remove files
• rm -r – remove directories recursively
• rm -f – force delete without confirmation

Searching Files in Linux

• find – search files by name, type, size
• locate – fast file search using index
• grep – search text inside files

File Operations in DevOps Use Cases

• Managing application configuration files
• Log file analysis and cleanup
• Backup and restore operations
• Deployment artifact handling