Master the stat Command: Display Detailed File Status in Linux

What is the stat Command?

Think of the stat command as a file’s biography, revealing metadata like permissions, ownership, timestamps, and inode details. Type stat file.txt to view comprehensive file information.

Why stat is Essential

Syntax and Options

The stat command displays file or filesystem status:

stat [options] file...
        

Key options:

• -f: Display filesystem status.
• -c: Custom format (e.g., %s for size).
• -t: Terse output for scripting.

Output includes inode, size, permissions, timestamps, and more.

Real-World Examples

1. View File Metadata

Type this:

stat file.txt
        

Output: Shows size, permissions, timestamps, inode, etc.

2. Custom Format Output

Show only size and name:

stat -c "%s %n" file.txt
        

Output: 1234 file.txt.

3. Filesystem Status

Check filesystem details:

stat -f /
        

Output: Filesystem type, block size, etc.

4. Terse Output for Scripts

Compact output:

stat -t file.txt
        

Output: Single-line metadata for parsing.

5. Multiple Files

Check multiple files:

stat file1.txt file2.txt
        

Output: Metadata for both files.

Advanced Usage

Master stat with these techniques:

• Custom Formats: Use -c "%a %U %G" for permissions, owner, group.
• Script Integration: Parse -t output in scripts.
• Filesystem Analysis: Use -f to check mount points.
• Timestamp Focus: Extract specific times with %x, %y, %z.

Example: Check modification time:

stat -c %y file.txt
        

Pro Tips

Auditing: Use stat to verify file changes.

Scripting: Use -t for easy parsing.

Alias Shortcut: Set alias st='stat -c "%n %s %y"' for quick info.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these pitfalls with stat:

• Overwhelming Output: Use -c to limit fields.
• Wrong File Paths: Verify file existence.
• Ignoring Filesystem: Use -f for filesystem details.

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