How to use the command `btrfs property` (with examples)

The btrfs property command is used to get, set, or list properties for a given btrfs filesystem object, such as files, directories, subvolumes, filesystems, or devices. It provides a way to manage various properties associated with these objects.

Use case 1: List available properties for a given btrfs object

Code:

sudo btrfs property list path/to/btrfs_object

Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to see a list of available properties for a specific btrfs object. It allows you to understand the available options and make informed decisions on how to configure the object.

Explanation: The property list command is used to list the available properties for a given btrfs object located at the specified path. The sudo command is used to execute the btrfs command with administrative privileges.

Example output:

label:       The label of the btrfs filesystem or device.
compression: The compression algorithm used for the btrfs object.
...

Use case 2: Get all properties for a given btrfs object

Code:

sudo btrfs property get path/to/btrfs_object

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to retrieve all the properties associated with a specific btrfs object. By getting a complete list of properties, you can easily view and analyze the configuration of the object.

Explanation: The property get command is used to retrieve all properties for a given btrfs object located at the specified path. The sudo command is used to execute the btrfs command with administrative privileges.

Example output:

path/to/btrfs_object:
  label:       MyFileSystem
  compression: zstd
  ...

Use case 3: Get a specific property for a given btrfs filesystem or device

Code:

sudo btrfs property get path/to/btrfs_filesystem label

Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to retrieve a specific property for a btrfs filesystem or device. For example, if you need to know the label of a filesystem, this command allows you to quickly fetch the value.

Explanation: The property get command is used to retrieve the specified property (label) for a given btrfs filesystem or device located at the specified path. The sudo command is used to execute the btrfs command with administrative privileges.

Example output:

path/to/btrfs_filesystem:
  label: MyFileSystem

Use case 4: Get object type-specific properties for a given btrfs filesystem or device

Code:

sudo btrfs property get -t subvol|filesystem|inode|device path/to/btrfs_filesystem

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to retrieve object type-specific properties for a btrfs filesystem or device. It allows you to fetch properties that are specific to a particular type of object, such as subvolumes, filesystems, inodes, or devices.

Explanation: The property get command is used to retrieve all object type-specific properties for a given btrfs filesystem or device located at the specified path. The -t flag is used to specify the object type (subvol, filesystem, inode, or device). The sudo command is used to execute the btrfs command with administrative privileges.

Example output:

path/to/btrfs_filesystem:
  object type: filesystem
  label:      MyFileSystem
  exclusive:  true
  ...

Use case 5: Set the compression property for a given btrfs inode

Code:

sudo btrfs property set path/to/btrfs_inode compression zstd|zlib|lzo|none

Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to set the compression algorithm for a specific btrfs inode object. It allows you to customize the compression settings based on your requirements.

Explanation: The property set command is used to set the compression property for a given btrfs inode (file or directory) located at the specified path. The sudo command is used to execute the btrfs command with administrative privileges. The compression argument specifies the compression algorithm to be set (zstd, zlib, lzo, or none).

Example output:

Property 'compression' set to 'zstd' for 'path/to/btrfs_inode'.

Conclusion:

The btrfs property command provides a convenient way to manage properties for btrfs filesystem objects. Whether you need to retrieve specific properties, view all available properties, or set properties like compression, this command offers a versatile solution. By understanding the different use cases and examples provided, you can effectively utilize the btrfs property command in your btrfs filesystem management tasks.