[NTLUG:Discuss] Stupid Question

[Chris Cox]

I don't know... nowadays bit bucket has begun to mean
something derogatory.  For example, MS Excel just ate
all my work again....straight to the ole MS bit bucket.

/dev/null is your friend... it eats everything you give
it... and that's WHAT it is SUPPOSED to do :-)

Forward all replies to /dev/null
Chris

"George E. Lass" wrote:
> 
> 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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