[NTLUG:Discuss] How do I make all files in a directory of zero length?

[sysmail@glade.net]

To truncate all the files in a directory, how about:

for furt in ./* ; do
rm $furt
touch $furt
done

or, if you need to traverse directories,

for slimemold in `find . -type f` ; do
rm $slimemold
touch $slimemold
done

Naturally, you don't have to 'touch $slimemold' - the variable can be
anything you want, within reason. Just don't name the the variable
'yourself'.  Bad form to touch $yourself...

Be aware if you truncate open files (such as active log files), you
won't get the results you want.  For log files, check out logrotate.

Regards,

Carl

-- 
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On Wed, 6 Jun 2001, Lance Simmons wrote:

> I want to go into a directory and make all the files of zero
> length. What's the easiest way to do this?
>
> Do I need to save the filenames, delete the files, and then
> touch the saved filenames?
>
> Is there a more direct way to achieve the result I'm looking for?
>
>