How to use the command lsattr (with examples)

The lsattr command is used to list the attributes of files on a Linux filesystem. It provides information about the file’s permissions, flags, and other metadata. This command is useful for determining the attributes of files and directories and can be used in various scenarios.

Use case 1: Display the attributes of the files in the current directory

Code:

lsattr

Motivation: You may want to view the attributes of the files in the current directory to understand how they are configured. This can be useful when troubleshooting file permission issues or checking for specific attributes on certain files.

Explanation: The lsattr command without any arguments lists the attributes of files in the current directory. It displays the file names along with their respective attributes.

Example output:

-rw-r--r--   1 user   group   1024 Aug 12 10:20 file.txt
-rwxr-xr-x   1 user   group   4096 Aug 12 10:22 script.sh

Use case 2: List the attributes of files in a particular path

Code:

lsattr path

Motivation: Sometimes you may need to view the attributes of files in a specific directory or path. This can be helpful when investigating a particular directory’s configuration or checking for specific attributes on files within that path.

Explanation: The lsattr command followed by the path argument lists the attributes of files in the specified directory or path. It displays the file names along with their respective attributes.

Example output:

-rw-r--r--   1 user   group   1024 Aug 12 10:20 path/file1.txt
-rwxr-xr-x   1 user   group   4096 Aug 12 10:22 path/file2.sh

Use case 3: List file attributes recursively in the current and subsequent directories

Code:

lsattr -R

Motivation: If you want to view the attributes of files in the current directory and all its subdirectories, you can use the recursive mode of lsattr. This is useful when you need to examine the attributes of files within a directory tree.

Explanation: The -R option tells lsattr to perform a recursive search, listing the attributes of files in the current directory and all subsequent directories. It displays the file names along with their respective attributes.

Example output:

-rw-r--r--   1 user   group   1024 Aug 12 10:20 file.txt
-rwxr-xr-x   1 user   group   4096 Aug 12 10:22 script.sh
drwxr-xr-x   1 user   group   4096 Aug 12 10:25 directory
-r--r--r--   1 user   group   8192 Aug 12 10:28 directory/file2.txt

Use case 4: Show attributes of all the files in the current directory, including hidden ones

Code:

lsattr -a

Motivation: Sometimes you need to view the attributes of all files in the current directory, including the hidden files. This is useful when you want to inspect the attributes of both visible and hidden files within a directory.

Explanation: The -a option tells lsattr to include hidden files in the output. By default, hidden files (files starting with a dot) are not displayed. This argument allows you to view the attributes of both visible and hidden files.

Example output:

-rw-r--r--   1 user   group   1024 Aug 12 10:20 file.txt
-rwxr-xr-x   1 user   group   4096 Aug 12 10:22 script.sh
drwxr-xr-x   1 user   group   4096 Aug 12 10:25 .hidden_directory
-r--r--r--   1 user   group   8192 Aug 12 10:28 .hidden_directory/file2.txt

Use case 5: Display attributes of directories in the current directory

Code:

lsattr -d

Motivation: If you want to view the attributes of directories only in the current directory, you can use the -d option of lsattr. This is useful when you need to examine the attributes of directories without displaying the attributes of regular files.

Explanation: The -d option tells lsattr to display the attributes of directories only. It does not list the attribute details of regular files within the current directory.

Example output:

drwxr-xr-x   1 user   group   4096 Aug 12 10:25 directory
drwxr-xr-x   1 user   group   4096 Aug 12 10:30 another_directory

Conclusion:

The lsattr command is a versatile tool for listing file attributes on a Linux filesystem. By using different arguments, you can display attributes of files in different directories, recursively search for attributes, include hidden files, and focus on directory attributes only. Understanding the file attributes can help you manage and troubleshoot your system effectively.