LWM-Linux/06 - Linux File Operations/IO Redirection and PipingV2.md

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# Linux I/O redirection and piping.
1. Basic Concepts
2. Input Redirection
3. Output Redirection
4. Error Redirection
5. Piping
6. Advanced Techniques
## 1. Basic Concepts:
In Unix/Linux, there are three standard streams:
- Standard Input (stdin): 0
- Standard Output (stdout): 1
- Standard Error (stderr): 2
By default, stdin is the keyboard, while stdout and stderr are both the terminal.
## 2. Input Redirection:
The < symbol is used for input redirection.
Example:
```bash
sort < file.txt
```
This command sorts the contents of file.txt.
## 3. Output Redirection:
The > symbol is used for output redirection. It creates a new file or overwrites an existing one.
The >> symbol appends to an existing file or creates a new one if it doesn't exist.
Examples:
```bash
echo "Hello, World!" > greeting.txt
echo "How are you?" >> greeting.txt
```
## 4. Error Redirection:
You can redirect stderr using 2> or 2>>.
Example:
```bash
ls /nonexistent 2> error.log
```
To redirect both stdout and stderr to the same file:
```bash
command > output.log 2>&1
```
## 5. Piping:
The | symbol is used for piping. It sends the output of one command as input to another.
Example:
```bash
ls -l | grep "\.txt"
```
This lists all files and then filters for those ending in .txt.
## 6. Advanced Techniques:
- a) Here Documents:
```bash
cat << EOF > file.txt
Line 1
Line 2
EOF
```
- b) Process Substitution:
```bash
diff <(ls dir1) <(ls dir2)
```
- c) Redirecting stdout and stderr to different files:
```bash
command 1> output.log 2> error.log
```
- d) Discarding output:
```bash
command > /dev/null 2>&1
```
- e) tee command (writing to both file and stdout):
```bash
echo "Hello" | tee file.txt
```
- f) Named Pipes (FIFOs):
```bash
mkfifo mypipe
command1 > mypipe & command2 < mypipe
```
These techniques allow for powerful data manipulation and process control in the Linux environment. They're essential for scripting, data processing, and system administration tasks.