Files and paths · Lesson 19 of 36 · 8 minutes

Path reporting

Build a small report from path helper commands.

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Your objectives

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1
Start path report
Run printf /srv/www/index.html | tee lab/path-report.txt.
Hint & worked example
Format data deliberately, including separators and final newlines. Copy a stream both to a file and standard output; -a appends.
The command outcome must match the task, including successful access or the explicitly requested failure.
```
printf /srv/www/index.html | tee lab/path-report.txt
```
Remember: A format string controls output; a newline is data, not an automatic guarantee. tee can overwrite a file even though the output is also visible on screen.
2
Print web directory
Run dirname /srv/www/index.html.
Hint & worked example
Extract the directory portion of a path string.
The command outcome must match the task, including successful access or the explicitly requested failure.
```
dirname /srv/www/index.html
```
Remember: A path can be syntactically valid without naming an existing directory.
3
Print web file
Run basename /srv/www/index.html.
Hint & worked example
Remove directory components from a path string.
The command outcome must match the task, including successful access or the explicitly requested failure.
```
basename /srv/www/index.html
```
Remember: String manipulation does not verify that the target exists.

Understand the pattern

Junior operators build confidence by gathering evidence before changing systems.

printf: Format data deliberately, including separators and final newlines.
A format string controls output; a newline is data, not an automatic guarantee.
tee: Copy a stream both to a file and standard output; -a appends.
tee can overwrite a file even though the output is also visible on screen.
dirname: Extract the directory portion of a path string.
A path can be syntactically valid without naming an existing directory.
basename: Remove directory components from a path string.
String manipulation does not verify that the target exists.

Worked example and expected result

$ printf /srv/www/index.html | tee lab/path-report.txt

/srv/www/index.html

Exit status: 0. The command completed successfully in the training fixture.

$ dirname /srv/www/index.html

/srv/www

Exit status: 0. The command completed successfully in the training fixture.

$ basename /srv/www/index.html

index.html

Exit status: 0. The command completed successfully in the training fixture.

Try a variation

Repeat this workflow in the sandbox with a different scratch filename. Keep the system fixtures unchanged and compare the observed output with your expectation before moving on.

Explain it

In “Path reporting”, which interpretation is safe?A successful first check guarantees that every dependent service is healthy.A path can be syntactically valid without naming an existing directory.A command appearing in history proves it completed successfully.

Apply it elsewhere

Before adapting the dirname workflow from “Path reporting” to another server, what should you do?Confirm the current directory, target identity, permissions, and the installed command behavior first.Paste the training paths unchanged into production.Skip output inspection whenever the command is familiar.

Keep the momentum.

Complete the lab, then explain and apply the pattern.

Next: Filesystem checkpoint Try an incident drill

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