What are best practices for using du command?

The du command in Linux is an essential tool for checking directory space usage. Here are some best practices for using the du command effectively:

  • Use -h for Human-Readable Sizes: The -h option makes the output easier to read, displaying sizes in KB, MB, or GB.
  • Summarize Total Size: The -s option provides a summary of the total size of a directory instead of listing each subdirectory.
  • Sort Output: Using the --max-depth=N option limits the output to directories at a specified depth, helping to focus on the most significant areas.
  • Display in Inodes: The -i option shows the number of inodes used, which can be useful for troubleshooting issues related to file systems.
  • Check All Mounted Filesystems: The -a flag will include all files in the output, making it comprehensive.

Example usage of the du command:

du -h -s /path/to/directory

du command Linux disk usage command line tools file system management directory size

Related Questions

How do I avoid rehashing overhead with std::set in multithreaded code?

How do I find elements with custom comparators with std::set for embedded targets?

How do I erase elements while iterating with std::set for embedded targets?

How do I provide stable iteration order with std::unordered_map for large datasets?

How do I reserve capacity ahead of time with std::unordered_map for large datasets?

How do I erase elements while iterating with std::unordered_map in multithreaded code?

How do I provide stable iteration order with std::map for embedded targets?

How do I provide stable iteration order with std::map in multithreaded code?

How do I avoid rehashing overhead with std::map in performance-sensitive code?

How do I merge two containers efficiently with std::map for embedded targets?