Advanced file management
Beyond the Basics
Once you’ve mastered the everyday commands for manipulating files, you might want to do more. We show you some powerful commands for advanced file management.
If you’ve worked from the command line regularly, you’ve probably learned the common options for commands such as cp, ls, mv, and rm. You also might have learned to change file attributes with commands like chmod and chown and to read the contents of files with less, head, and tail. However, these are only the basics for file management. Beyond these options is wealth of advanced commands for manipulating, viewing, verifying, and securely deleting files, to say nothing of copying in ways that go far beyond what cp can manage.
In fact, the command line is meant for file management. The desktop is fine for routine operations such as copying files from one device to another or changing basic permissions. But file management is a basic function, and people have been carrying it out at the command line as long as computers have existed. As a result, once you know the tools that are available, the command line is quicker and more precise than the desktop in every aspect of file management you can imagine – and, very likely, in those you can’t.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome OS Transitioning Toward a General-Purpose Distro
If you're looking for the perfectly vanilla take on the Gnome desktop, Gnome OS might be for you.
-
Fedora 41 Released with New Features
If you're a Fedora fan or just looking for a Linux distribution to help you migrate from Windows, Fedora 41 might be just the ticket.
-
AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 Gives Power Users a Sneak Preview
If you're looking to kick the tires of AlmaLinux's upstream version, the developers have a purrfect solution.
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.