How to use the command 'cfdisk' (with examples)

The cfdisk command is a partition editor that uses a streamlined, text-based user interface powered by curses, allowing users to manage partition tables and partitions on hard disks. This command is particularly useful for creating, deleting, resizing, and labeling partitions on Linux-based systems. Users can interactively handle partitions on specific devices directly from the terminal, making it a handy tool for system administrators and enthusiasts handling disk partitions.

Use case 1: Start the partition manipulator with a specific device

Code:

cfdisk /dev/sdX

Motivation:

When managing disk partitions, identifying and selecting the correct device is crucial, as partitioning affects the disk’s storage layout. Using cfdisk with a specific device allows users to interactively view and modify the partitions on that particular drive. This approach helps ensure that changes are made to the intended device, avoiding the potential issue of altering the wrong disk, which can lead to the loss of important data. By specifying the device, users can focus on the task at hand without worrying about mistakenly affecting other drives.

Explanation:

• cfdisk: The fundamental command that initiates the text-based partition manager.
• /dev/sdX: Represents the specific block device (where ‘X’ is a placeholder for the actual device letter, such as sda, sdb, etc.) that the user intends to manage. In a Linux environment, all storage devices are represented within the /dev directory, with each device assigned a unique identifier.

Example Output:

Upon execution, cfdisk opens an interactive textual interface displaying the current partition table for the specified device. The interface generally lists existing partitions with their details, such as size, type, and boot status. Users can navigate this interface to create new partitions, modify existing ones, or save changes, all from within this textual window.

Use case 2: Create a new partition table for a specific device and manage it

Code:

cfdisk --zero /dev/sdX

Motivation:

Creating a new partition table is a foundational disk management task, particularly useful for repurposing a disk that was previously used for a different operating system or ensuring that an existing disk is entirely cleared and set up from scratch. The --zero option provides a straightforward way to wipe the current partition table on the specified device, allowing users to start anew. This is especially beneficial when setting up a multi-boot system or when a clean slate is necessary for custom partitioning, ensuring that no remnants of previous disk data or partition schemes interfere with new configurations.

Explanation:

• cfdisk: Initiates the partition editor with a curses user interface.
• --zero: A flag that instructs cfdisk to wipe any existing partition table from the given device, effectively “zeroing” out the previous setup. This is equivalent to resetting the partition structure.
• /dev/sdX: The designated block device that is targeted for partition table creation. Users must ensure that they specify the correct device to prevent data loss from unintended disks.

Example Output:

When the command is run, users are greeted by the familiar interactive interface of cfdisk. However, unlike the previous scenario, this time the partition table is empty, ready for new partitions to be created according to the user’s needs. The “empty” status is indicated by the absence of partition entries in the interface, allowing users to start their new partition scheme from this blank slate.

Conclusion:

The cfdisk command proves to be an invaluable utility for managing partitions on Linux systems, offering both interactive ease and comprehensive control over disk layouts. Whether focusing on a specific device to edit existing partitions or starting fresh by creating a new partition table, cfdisk simplifies these processes through its user-friendly, text-based interface. By utilizing the given examples, users can better understand how to effectively manage their disk partitions in various scenarios.