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|For example, what combination of shell commands can I use to output the number of files in a directory? Hint: it probably isn't what you think it is, if it's e

|For example, what combination of shell commands can I use to output the number of files in a directory? Hint: it probably isn't what you think it is, if it's even possible. `find . -type f | wc -l`

jcynix 3y ago
Good first attempt. But: counts two links to the same file twice. That is: touch foo; ln foo bar Is this one file or two "links" to the same file? ;-0
- bandrami 3y ago
  You said files, not inodes. Those are two files sharing one inode. If you want to count inodes, specify that in the question.
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
  - jcynix 3y ago
    I'm not the one who posed the question. And: file, filename, inode, ...? What's what and what's exactly to be counted?
    - memetomancer 3y ago
      the inode is the important thing when all is said and done. It is flexible in that it can contain all the metadata needed to present a file to a process. Sometimes that metadata is a list of blocks in the filesystem. sometimes it points to another inode. I think of it like an old-timey 'card catalog'. You have a bunch of tiny drawers filled with cards. Some of the cards are big and blank spacers with a prominent tab sticking above the normal top edges (Directory). Sometimes you have a card that points to another card elsewhere in the catalog (link). Sometimes you find the details of a specific book on a specific shelf (block data). Point is, they are all cards. The comment essentially asked for a command to say 'how many cards between these two spacers'. It's a "trick" question as old as usenet to spring the distinction between link inodes and list of blocks inodes and say "Ah-HAH!! gotcha", but in reality it's a silly game of jumping levels, misdirecting semantics and prey upon the distribution of understanding in a forum for personal glory. The inode is the item, it is the card that is being counted, no matter what is printed on it. imho.
- preseinger 3y ago
  absent further qualifications it is two files
chias 3y ago
This doesn't work. Try setting up a test directory as follows: touch first$'\n'file touch .hidden$'\n'file mkdir folder$'\n'. touch folder$'\n'./another$'\n'file There are two files in the folder, or three if you want to count files in subdirectories too. Your solution incorrectly outputs 7.

|For example, what combination of shell commands can I use to output the number of files in a directory? Hint: it probably isn't what you think it is, if it's even possible. `find . -type f | wc -l`

jcynix 3y ago

Good first attempt. But: counts two links to the same file twice. That is: touch foo; ln foo bar Is this one file or two "links" to the same file? ;-0

bandrami 3y ago
You said files, not inodes. Those are two files sharing one inode. If you want to count inodes, specify that in the question.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
- jcynix 3y ago
  I'm not the one who posed the question. And: file, filename, inode, ...? What's what and what's exactly to be counted?
  - memetomancer 3y ago
    the inode is the important thing when all is said and done. It is flexible in that it can contain all the metadata needed to present a file to a process. Sometimes that metadata is a list of blocks in the filesystem. sometimes it points to another inode. I think of it like an old-timey 'card catalog'. You have a bunch of tiny drawers filled with cards. Some of the cards are big and blank spacers with a prominent tab sticking above the normal top edges (Directory). Sometimes you have a card that points to another card elsewhere in the catalog (link). Sometimes you find the details of a specific book on a specific shelf (block data). Point is, they are all cards. The comment essentially asked for a command to say 'how many cards between these two spacers'. It's a "trick" question as old as usenet to spring the distinction between link inodes and list of blocks inodes and say "Ah-HAH!! gotcha", but in reality it's a silly game of jumping levels, misdirecting semantics and prey upon the distribution of understanding in a forum for personal glory. The inode is the item, it is the card that is being counted, no matter what is printed on it. imho.
preseinger 3y ago
absent further qualifications it is two files

chias 3y ago

This doesn't work. Try setting up a test directory as follows: touch first$'\n'file touch .hidden$'\n'file mkdir folder$'\n'. touch folder$'\n'./another$'\n'file There are two files in the folder, or three if you want to count files in subdirectories too. Your solution incorrectly outputs 7.