Linux Concatenate Files

Introduction to Linux Concatenate Files

In the Linux operating system, we can use the file concatenate method to create a single file. When we need to merge the multiple files into the small file then we are using the file concatenation method. There are different ways to do achieve the file concatenation in the Linux environment like cat command, etc. We can use the concatenation method merges the multiple small logs into a single file. It will be easy to refer or analyse the small files of data or information into a single file.

The cat utility was written by Torbjorn Granlund and Richard M. Stallman.

Syntax:

Concatenate Command/Utility [ OPTION ]... [ INPUT FILE ] [ OPERATORS ] [ CONCATENATE FILE]

• cat: We can use the “cat” keyword in the syntax or command. It will take different arguments like options, input file, and redirection operators, and concatenate file name. As per the provided arguments, it will concatenate the inputs files into a single concatenated file.
• OPTIONS : We can provide the different flags as the option that is compatible with the “cat” command.
• INPUT FILE: As per the condition or requirement, we can provide the file or file path to the cat command.
• Operators: Generally, in the concatenate method we are using the redirection operators.
• CONCATENATE FILE: While doing the concatenate operation, we need to define the concatenate file name (at the end of the command).

How Linux Concatenate Files Work?

Linux is a multi-user support operating system. It will support multiple server or application. While running these servers or application, they are generating a huge amount of data in terms of server or application level and user-level data. Generally, we are more concern about the system or application level to handle and properly manage it. It will help for the future purpose to analyse the data or for any bug fixes. But few application or job are creating a very small file. It will be very difficult to hand it or manage it. Hence we are having the concatenate utility to merge the number of small files into a single concatenated file. For the concatenate, we are using the “cat” command. The cat command will take the different argument values like compatible options, input file, redirection operators, concatenate file name, etc. With the help of their inputs, it will create a single concatenated file.

Below are the lists of option that are compatible with the cat command.

Sr No	Option	Description
1	-A, –show-all	It will print the all the equivalent to -vET
2	-b, –number-nonblank	The number of nonempty output lines. It will override the -n
3	-e	It is equivalent to -vE
4	-E, –show-ends	It will help to print the $ value at end of each line
5	-n, –number	It will help to do the operation on the number all output lines
6	-s, –squeeze-blank	It will help to suppress the repeated empty output lines
7	-t	This option is equivalent to -vT
8	-T, –show-tabs	It will print the TAB characters as ^I
9	-u	It will help to ignore the things
10	-v, –show-nonprinting	It will use ^ and M- notation. It will except for LFD and TAB
11	–help	It will help to print valid and useful cat command and information. After that, it will automatically exit
12	–version	It will print the valid version information of the cat command. After that, it will automatically exit

Examples to Implement Linux Concatenate Files

Lets us discuss examples of Linux Concatenate Files.

Example #1 – Linux Concatenate Files

In the Linux environment, we are able to merge or concatenate the multiple files into a single concatenated file. We need to use the redirection operators with the “cat” command.

Command :

cat file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt file4.txt > concatenate.txt

Explanation :

As per the above command, we are having multiple files at the “/root/data” location. We are concatenating call the files into a single file i.e. concatenate.txt.

Output :

 

Example #2 – Regular Expressions

In the Concatenate Method, we are having the functionality to use the regular expressions and create a single concatenated file.

Command :

cat file* > concatenate.txt

Explanation :

As per the above command, we are concatenating all the files starting with “file” into the single concatenate file i.e. concatenate.txt.

Output :

Example #3 – xargs Option

While working with the Linux Concatenate method, we can use the different Linux command in it and get the single concatenated file.

Command :

find . -name "file*" | xargs cat > concatenate.txt

Explanation :

We are finding the files into “/root/data” location, once the relevant file will identify. It will pass to “xargs” command via pipe option and concatenate into the “concatenate.txt” file.

Output :

Example #4 – Sort Command

In Linux, we are having the functionality to create the single concatenate file from the multiple files. We can use the sort command to make the single concatenated file.

Command :

cat file* | sort > concatenate.txt

Explanation :

As per the above command, we are using the sort command to concatenate the file.

Output :

Example #5 – Control Statements (For Loop)

In the File Concatenation, we having the functionality to use the different control statements like while, for, etc. As per the requirement, we can use any type of looping mechanism.

Command :

for i in {file1,file2,file3,file4,file5}; do cat "$i" >> concatenate.txt; done

Explanation :

In the above command, we are using the for control statement. We are passing the list of files to be concatenate. As per the variable value “$i”, it will create the concatenate file i.e. concatenate.txt.

Output :

Conclusion

We have seen the uncut concept of “Linux Concatenate Files” with the proper example, explanation, and command with different outputs. As per the requirement, we can merge or concatenate the single file form the multiple files. It will help to analyze the data into a single file rather than referring to the multiple files.

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