This article provides a comprehensive guide to the ‘split’ command in Linux. It covers the command’s history, when and why to use it, how to use it along with its parameters, its most common use cases, some advanced techniques, and important notes to keep in mind. The guide is meant to serve as a resource for Linux beginners who wish to master this useful command.
Instructions
This article provides a thorough introduction to the ‘split’ command in Linux. From basic usage to various options and unique applications, this guide will provide an overview that is suitable for Linux beginners.
History
The ‘split’ command is a traditional Unix utility that has been a part of the Linux system since its inception.
When and why to use it
‘split’ is best used when you have a large file that needs to be broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces. This is especially useful in data processing where large data files can become cumbersome to handle.
How to use it
To use ‘split’ to divide a file into pieces, simply invoke the command followed by the filename.
split largefile.txtThe commonly used parameters
There are several parameters that are commonly used with ‘split’:
-bthis parameter allows you to specify the size of each split file.
split -b 1000 largefile.txt-lthis parameter allows you to specify the number of lines in each split file.
split -l 1000 largefile.txtOther supported parameters
Some of the other parameters supported by ‘split’ include -a for specifying the length of the suffix, -d for using numeric suffixes, and -u for unbuffered writes.
Most common use cases
One of the most common use cases for ‘split’ is in data processing or analysis, where large data files need to be divided into smaller, more manageable pieces for further manipulation or study.
split -l 5000 datafile.txtThe tricky skills
An advanced technique with ‘split’ is using it in conjunction with other commands using pipes. For example, you can use ‘split’ with ‘cat’ to split the output of another command.
cat largefile.txt | split -l 500What needs to be noted
Note that by default, ‘split’ does not append a newline character to the end of files it creates. If you need the newline character, you should add it manually.
Conclusion
The ‘split’ command is a versatile tool in Linux that can help manage large files by breaking them into smaller pieces. By understanding and mastering ‘split’, you can greatly increase your efficiency when dealing with large data files.
