touch Linux command

The Linux touch command is used to create empty files with specified timestamps or update the accessed, modified, or changed times of a file. It is a versatile command that can be used for various purposes such as creating placeholder files, changing file timestamps, and triggering certain actions based on file modification times. The touch command is a powerful tool for managing files and directories efficiently in a Linux environment.

touch Syntax:

touch [option] [file]

Options:

Option	Description
-a	Update the access time
-c	Do not create a new file
-m	Update the modification time
-r	Use the access and modification times of another file
-t	Use a specific timestamp

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
file	Name of the file to be created or updated

Caution

Exercise caution when using the touch command, as it can update file timestamps and potentially create new files if used carelessly.

touch bash Examples:

Create an Empty File

touch example.txt

Creates a new empty file named “example.txt”.

Update the Timestamp of a File

touch -m example.txt

Updates the modification timestamp of the file “example.txt”.

Create Multiple Empty Files

touch file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt

Creates three empty files named file1.txt, file2.txt, and file3.txt.

Update Access and Modification Time of a File

touch -a -m example.txt

Updates both the access and modification times of the file “example.txt”.

Create a File with Specific Timestamp

touch -t 202201011200 example.txt

Creates a file “example.txt” with a specific timestamp of January 1st, 2022, 12:00 PM.

Create a File with a Future Timestamp

touch -t 202301011200 example.txt

Creates a file “example.txt” with a future timestamp of January 1st, 2023, 12:00 PM.

Tip

When using the touch command in Linux, remember that it is primarily used to update the access and modification timestamps of a file. If the file does not exist, touch will create an empty file. Keep in mind that touch can be useful for various tasks such as updating timestamps, creating placeholder files, or simply checking if a file exists.

touch Command Help Center:

How do I use touch in Linux?

To use the touch command in Linux, execute the following command:

touch filename.txt

What is the purpose of the touch command in Linux?

The touch command in Linux is used to update the access and modification timestamps of a file. It can also be used to create a new empty file if the specified file does not already exist.

touch filename.txt

How can I update the timestamps of a file using touch?

To update the timestamps of a file to the current time, you can use the touch command with the file name as an argument:

touch filename.txt

Can I create multiple files at once with the touch command?

Yes, you can create multiple files at once using the touch command by specifying multiple file names as arguments:

touch file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt

How can I change the access and modification timestamps to a specific date/time using touch?

To change the timestamps of a file to a specific date and time, you can use the -t option followed by a specific timestamp in the format [[CC]YY]MMDDhhmm[.ss]:

touch -t 202112311200.00 filename.txt

Is there a way to suppress error messages when using touch in Linux?

Yes, you can suppress error messages by using the -c option with the touch command. This will prevent error messages from being displayed if a file does not exist.

touch -c non_existent_file.txt

How can I update the timestamp of a file without creating a new file if it does not exist?

If you want to update the timestamp of a file without creating a new file if it does not exist, you can use the -m option with the touch command:

touch -m filename.txt

Can I use touch with symbolic links in Linux?

Yes, you can use touch with symbolic links in Linux. By default, touch will update the timestamps of the symbolic link itself, not the target file that the link points to.

touch symlink_name

Applications of the touch command

• Create an empty file
• Update the access and modification timestamps of a file
• Change the timestamps of a file to a specific date and time
• Create a new file with specific content and timestamp
• Create multiple files at once using touch with file name patterns