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

The sync command is used to flush all pending write operations to the appropriate disks. This ensures that all data is written to disk before further operations are performed.

Use case 1: Flush all pending write operations on all disks

Code:

sync

Motivation: It is important to flush all pending write operations on all disks to ensure that data is safely stored. This is crucial before shutting down the system or during any critical operations like system upgrades or backups.

Explanation: In this use case, the sync command is used without any arguments. This flushes all pending write operations on all disks connected to the system.

Example output:

Use case 2: Flush all pending write operations on a single file to disk

Code:

sync path/to/file

Motivation: If you have made changes to a specific file and want to ensure that the changes are permanently written to disk, you can use the sync command on that file. This guarantees data integrity by flushing all pending write operations related to that file.

Explanation: In this use case, the sync command is used with the argument path/to/file, where path/to/file represents the specific file you want to flush pending write operations for.

Example output:

Conclusion:

The sync command is a powerful tool that ensures data integrity by flushing pending write operations to disk. This prevents data loss and ensures that all changes are permanently stored. Whether you need to flush all pending write operations on all disks or on a specific file, the sync command provides a simple and reliable solution.