Managing Linux Files
Linux file names may include different type of file extensions, may have multiple extensions, or may not have any at all.
File names may begin with a "." or may have other symbols in their names, including spaces.Read below to find what are they?
File Types
Below are the most common file types in Linux.
Compressed and Archived Files
.gz — a file compressed with gzip
.tar — a file archived with tar(tape archive), also known as a tar file
.zip — a file compressed with ZIP compression, most compressed files for Linux use the gzip compression.
System Files
.conf — a configuration file; sometimes uses the .cfg extension, also.a .lock — a lock file; determines whether a program or device is in use
.rpm — a RedHat Package Manager file used to install software
Programming and Scripting Files
.c — a C program language source code file
.cpp — a C++ program language source code file
.h — a C or C++ program language header file
.o — a program object file
.pl — a Perl script
.py — a Python script
.so — a library file
.sh — a shell script
.tcl — a TCL script
Dot Files
Dot Files
The file names which begins with a "." are called "dot" files,these are hidden files. These files can be viewed by command ls -al in linux shell prompt.
Using Spaces in File Names
To manipulate files with spaces in their names, surround the name with quotation marks.
Using Symbols in File Names
If you choose to use file names with special characters, use quotes around the file names when manipulating them from a shell prompt.
There are a few special characters you cannot use in file names. You cannot use a "/" — this indicates a directory. You cannot name a file "." or "..",
Files with Multiple Extensions
Some of the files may have multiple extensions. These multiple extensions usually arise when processing a file through multiple programs or commands. The most common file type with multiple extensions is a compressed archive.
Correct File Extension
Correct File Extension
Some of the files does not have an extension, or the file does not seem to be what the extension says it is supposed to be? That is when the file command can be helpful.