Explain the reason for using the find and redirect commands for troubleshooting. Give examples from the book, the module lecture, and web-based research to justify your answer.
Module Lecture
UNIX/Linux is a powerful operating system with the ability to work with system utilities and scripts (programs) alike. In this module, you will work with different scripts and commands that manipulate the operating system and your scripts.
When trying to manipulate the UNIX/Linux system, you will find some very useful commands that will help you to navigate the system.
The find command (find –name xxxx) is typically used to find files or programs (scripts) within a directory structure. These files can be a program, data file, or system program. This command is used when you do not remember the directory in which you may have placed a particular file. A person may remember the beginning of the file name, but not necessarily the entire file name or directory location, and the find command will help you determine this location.
To view file contents you can use the more or cat command (see the differences in the table below).
Command -UNIX/Linux Use -Description
View File- cat
The cat command allows you to view the contents of a file. This command cannot be used to view the contents of an executable program.
View File – more
The more command will allow you to view the contents of a file (much like the ‘cat’ command); however, it will pause screen by screen to see each of the program/file details for long files. This will come in handy when searching log files.
Copy – cp
The copy command will make a copy of a currently existing file. You should use this command prior to making changes so you have the original file in case you need to refer to it.
Edit – vi
When you are editing a file, you can use vi (visual editor) to make changes, or you can open up Notepad on your personal computer.
Find file – find
This command will help you to find files (scripts, log files, etc.) on the Linux/UNIX system. You can search for file names and/or partial file names located on your system.
Tail – Command
tail This command would be used when you are looking over a system log file and need to see the end XXX amount of
characters in that file. When doing troubleshooting of your
system, the tail command will help you to see the end contents of a large file (tail = end of file).
When you have “found” the program or files you are looking to work with, you will be able to
then edit the file/script to enhance what you have already created. For example, your boss is
looking for you to enhance an already created payroll program because the tax rate has been increased by a certain percentage. How might you easily make a global change so that you do not have to edit each and every employee tax rate? Once you have found the script, you can then make the necessary changes.
You will have to remember the following:
• What change has to be made?
• How does it impact the currently running script?
• Who can you ask (business owner or information technology) about this
change?
• When can you test a version of the edits?
These are some of the items you will be asked to do when writing scripts to enhance them, and how you might go about getting that information.
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