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Chetan Tekam
Chetan Tekam

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Linux File & Directory Operations for DevOps — v1.0

#linux #beginners #devops #cloud

Epic: Linux Foundations for DevOps
Work Card: File & Directory Operations
Status: ✅ Completed v1.0 — Survival Operations
GitHub: linux/file-directory-operations/
Demos: Linux for DevOps — Execution Demos

Introduction

When working on real Linux servers in DevOps — whether in cloud VMs, CI/CD runners, or containers — you’re constantly creating, copying, moving, and removing files and directories. These basic file operations form the backbone of build scripts, deployment automation, and system maintenance.

This post documents v1.0 of the File & Directory Operations workcard. The focus is on performing these operations safely and deliberately on a remote Linux host via SSH.

Problem Statement

In real operational environments, careless file manipulation can lead to:

  • overwritten configuration
  • lost logs
  • broken application deployments
  • corrupted automation pipelines

The goal of this iteration was clear:

Perform essential file and directory operations on a live Linux system without introducing errors.

Approach

This iteration emphasizes controlled execution of core file commands and verification before action. The practice was performed in real time on a remote Linux VM using SSH, reflecting how DevOps engineers work on real infrastructure.

Key Concepts & Commands Learned

📂 Creating and Organizing

  • touch filename → create a new file
  • mkdir dirname → create a directory
  • Directories serve as containers for application and system files

🔁 Copying and Moving

  • cp source dest → copy files
  • mv source dest → move or rename files
  • These commands are core to deployment and artifact handling

❌ Safe Deletion

  • rm filename → delete a file
  • Deleting files is permanent; verification before action is essential

👀 Inspect Before Acting

  • ls -l → long listing with permissions
  • file filename → identify file type
  • stat filename → inspect metadata
  • These help avoid mistakes by verifying what you’re about to operate on

Demo

🎥 YouTube v1.0 — Linux File & Directory Operations (Remote SSH)

Outcomes

After completing this iteration, I can:

  • create and organize directories for applications
  • copy files reliably between locations
  • move and rename files without breaking workflows
  • inspect file information before acting
  • safely clean up unused or irrelevant files

These fundamental file operations are essential in CI/CD, automated deployments, and server management.

Reflecting on v1.0

This iteration marked a transition from “finding and exploring files” to “changing and managing files with purpose.” It demonstrates basic but crucial operational skills that any DevOps engineer must have before advancing to permissions, automation, or container workflows.

Next Steps

Upcoming iterations will expand into:

  • v1.1 — Safe & Efficient Bulk Operations
  • v2.0 — Container-aware file operations (after Cloud basics)
  • v3.0 — Persistent storage & backups
  • v4.0 — Production-grade recovery workflows

Each iteration builds on the last in a versioned, validated manner.

Canonical References

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