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In [[Unix]] (and Unix-like) operating systems, the '''/dev/null''' file is a container that disposes all data written to it, and returns nothing when read from, except the [[EOF|End of File]] (EOF) character. Because it is located in the /dev, or device, directory, it is commonly known as the 'null device'. Other synonyms include the 'black hole' and the 'bit bucket'.
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In [[Unix]] (and Unix-like) operating systems, '''/dev/null''' is a character [[device file]] which discards all data written to it, and gives [[EOF|End of File]] (EOF) for all reads. Because it is located in the /dev, or device, directory, it is commonly known as the 'null device.' Synonyms include the 'black hole' and the 'bit bucket.'<ref name="LSAG">{{cite web
| url=http://www.faqs.org/docs/linux_admin/x822.html
| title="The Linux System Administrator's Guide, Chapter 5"
| date=Retrieved 2007-04-15
}}</ref>
The null device is part of the [[Unix_directory_structure| standard Unix directory structure]]


It is commonly used for erasing unwanted data steams, and has oft been used in jokes and puns. For instance, the original [[BSD Daemon]], drawn by [[Phil Foglio]], featured a demon standing near a 'bit bucket'.
It is commonly used to prevent the output of programs from appearing on the screen (usually when they are run in scripts)<ref name="LSAG"/>. It has oft been used in jokes and puns. For instance, the original [[BSD Daemon]], drawn by [[Phil Foglio]], featured a demon standing near a 'bit bucket.' Another usage would be on an internet forum or [[IRC]], when someone says something to the effect "Flames will be redirected to /dev/null."
 
==References==
<references />[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]

Latest revision as of 16:00, 6 August 2024

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Due to technical limitations, this article uses an unusual title. It should be called  /dev/null.

In Unix (and Unix-like) operating systems, /dev/null is a character device file which discards all data written to it, and gives End of File (EOF) for all reads. Because it is located in the /dev, or device, directory, it is commonly known as the 'null device.' Synonyms include the 'black hole' and the 'bit bucket.'[1] The null device is part of the standard Unix directory structure

It is commonly used to prevent the output of programs from appearing on the screen (usually when they are run in scripts)[1]. It has oft been used in jokes and puns. For instance, the original BSD Daemon, drawn by Phil Foglio, featured a demon standing near a 'bit bucket.' Another usage would be on an internet forum or IRC, when someone says something to the effect "Flames will be redirected to /dev/null."

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Linux System Administrator's Guide, Chapter 5" (Retrieved 2007-04-15).
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