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pygorex1
Asked: 2009-12-03 12:25:07 +0800 CST

Linux truncate file

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Here's a simple one. How do I truncate an existing file in linux? That is, how do I empty the contents of the file but keep the file. I can always delete the file then touch it but I was wondering if there's a single command that'll get the job done.

linux

5 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    >output-file -- shortest possible version.

    • 13

  2. This solution is more efficient than cat, because it doesn't create a subprocess (in addition to the shell process):

    true >output-file
    • 2

  3. You may do easy :) 

    
:>output-file

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  4. I'm sure a harder-core *nix person will have a better idea, but I've always done:

    cat /dev/null > output-file

    To truncate files.

    • 0

  5. echo -n > YOURFILE
    will remove file contents and keep the file, structure and permission intact.

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