How to append one file to another in Linux from the shell?

🐧 Tech Tips: How to Merge Files in Linux from the Shell

So you have two files, file1 and file2, and you want to merge or append the contents of file2 to file1, while making sure the original contents of file1 are preserved. Fear not, fellow Linux user, for I am here to guide you through this process step-by-step! 🚀

📁 The Problem:

How can you append the contents of file2 to file1, ensuring that the existing contents of file1 are not lost?

⚙️ The Solution:

To solve this problem, you can make use of the cat command in Linux.

The cat command is a powerful utility that allows you to concatenate and display the contents of files. In this case, we will be using it to append the contents of file2 to file1.

Here's the command you need to run:

cat file2 >> file1

Let's break it down:

• cat: The command that concatenates and displays file contents.

• file2: The file you want to append to file1.

• >>: A redirection operator that appends the output of the command to the specified file.

• file1: The file you want to append file2 to.

Simply running this command will merge or append the contents of file2 to file1, without deleting the contents of file1. Voila! 🎉

🐚 Real-World Example:

Imagine you're working on a project, and you have two files: README.md and changes.md. You have made some important changes in the changes.md file, and you want to add those changes to the end of the README.md file.

To merge the contents of changes.md into README.md using the cat command, you can simply run:

cat changes.md >> README.md

And just like magic, the changes made in changes.md will be appended to the end of README.md!

🚀 Call to Action:

Congratulations! You now know how to merge or append the contents of one file to another in Linux using the shell. With this newfound knowledge, you can easily combine files without losing any valuable information.

So go ahead, give it a try! Append files with confidence and become a Linux ninja. 💪 And don't forget to share this article with your fellow Linux enthusiasts, so they too can master the art of file merging.

If you have any questions or want to share your experience, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy merging! 😄✨