I want to erase the contents of the file error.log (nginx error log file), but I don't want to actually delete the file.
is this possible?
running ubuntu
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2 Answers
You can use this:
>error.log
(typed just like that - an empty output redirection)
or
truncate -s0 error.log
answered Dec 4, 2010 at 3:16
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@Ignacio: If the file already exists, either will truncate it. If the file doesn't exist, either will create it. Commented Dec 4, 2010 at 3:21
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The last option worked for me, for some reason sudo >error.log didnt work for me (ubuntu 12.04) Commented May 19, 2014 at 10:38
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5@davidkonrad: You would have to already be root for the redirection to work since it's performed before
sudotakes effect. Or you can dosudo bash -c '>error.log'Commented May 19, 2014 at 10:56 -
1@divHelper11: In my answer I say it's an "empty output redirection". That means that "nothing" is being sent to the named file and that overwrites any existing contents. It's similar to
echo "some words" > output.txtbut nothing is going in. Commented Oct 25, 2018 at 16:46
You'll confuse the daemon. Erase the file then send SIGHUP to nginx.
answered Dec 4, 2010 at 3:04
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SIGHUP? Can't I shut nginx down, purge the file, then start? I want to know how to erase the file for knowledge sake also. Commented Dec 4, 2010 at 3:14
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If you wanted to, sure. But that would disrupt service. Commented Dec 4, 2010 at 3:15
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I think both a null redirection and a
truncateare atomic, so as long as no seeking is going on (especially if the only operation that's occurring is appending) it shouldn't be disruptive. Commented Dec 4, 2010 at 3:25