[NTLUG:Discuss] Stupid Question

[George E. Lass]

Can you say "bit bucket"?

Chris Cox wrote:
> 
> /dev/null is a device where you can safely dump things that
> you DO NOT want.  It is useful when you need to redirect
> output somewhere and do not want the output to occupy
> any physical resources.  /dev/null effectively eats anything
> directed to it.  You can use it on input do... if you
> need to simulate a forever empty file.... probably not
> as interesting.
> 
> cat Library-of-Congress.txt >/dev/null
> 
> or better...
> 
> cat MS-XP-Documentation.doc >/dev/null
> 
> It doesn't remove the files in these cases, just the ouput
> from the command is "eaten" by directing it to /dev/null.
> 
> Regards,
> Chris
> 
> WILLIAM PEARSON wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I'm a newbie to linux so pardon the stupid question. What exactly does the
> > "/dev/null" directory do?
> >
> > Is it a directory where things are routinely purged or is it something
> > else? If a file were to be placed in that directory what exactly would
> > happen to it??
> >
> > Will
> >
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