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Asked: 2024-09-25T01:48:41+05:30

How can I create a text file in a specific directory using the terminal without altering my current working directory?

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around something really simple, but I just can’t seem to get it right. So, I’m working on a project that requires me to manage files in different directories, and I just need to create a text file in a specific directory using the terminal. The catch is, I don’t want to change my current working directory. You know, the whole idea of jumping through folders just to create a file feels a bit too tedious sometimes.

So, picture this: I’m in my terminal, happily typing away in my current directory (let’s say it’s ~/Documents/MyProject), and I want to create a new text file inside ~/Documents/Notes. I mean, is it possible to do that without having to navigate away from where I currently am? I’ve heard of a few ways to handle file management in the terminal, but I’m not sure how to specify the path correctly without CD-ing into the target directory first.

I’ve tried using the `touch` command with the path, but I’m getting errors, or it just doesn’t seem to work the way I expect. I figured I could create the file by specifying the full path, like `touch ~/Documents/Notes/myfile.txt`, but I’m not sure if that’s the best way to go about it.

Also, what if I want to make sure that this text file is being created in a directory that might not exist yet? Is there a way to create the directory and the file in one go and still avoid changing my working directory?

I’d love to hear how others tackle this kind of thing. It feels like one of those basic tasks that should be easy but somehow ends up taking longer than it should. Any tips or personal experiences on how to handle this efficiently? What’s your go-to method for creating files in a different directory while staying put? I’d really appreciate any insights or tricks you have!

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    2 Answers


    1. You’re on the right track with using the touch command! You can absolutely create a text file in another directory without changing your current working directory. Just use the full path with touch, like this:

      touch ~/Documents/Notes/myfile.txt

      This command should work perfectly fine, but make sure that the path you’re specifying actually exists. If the Notes directory doesn’t exist yet, you’ll need to create it first.

      To create both the directory and the file in one go without switching directories, you can use the mkdir command with the -p option (which stands for “parents”). It allows you to create the entire path if it doesn’t exist:

      mkdir -p ~/Documents/Notes && touch ~/Documents/Notes/myfile.txt

      This command first makes sure that the Notes directory (and any necessary parent directories) exist. Then, it uses && to run the touch command only if the previous command was successful, creating your text file!

      It’s really handy to write it all in one line. This way, you can create files in different directories while staying in your current location. Give it a shot!


    2. To create a text file in a different directory without changing your current working directory, you can indeed use the `touch` command followed by the full path of the target location. For instance, the command `touch ~/Documents/Notes/myfile.txt` will successfully create a new text file named `myfile.txt` in the `~/Documents/Notes` directory while you remain in your current directory (e.g., `~/Documents/MyProject`). It’s crucial to ensure that you provide the complete and correct path to avoid any errors. This method is straightforward and effective for situations where you want to keep your workflow uninterrupted while still managing files in other directories.

      If you want to create a directory along with the new file in one go, you can use the `mkdir` command with the `-p` option to create parent directories as needed, combined with a redirection operator. For example, you can execute `mkdir -p ~/Documents/Notes && touch ~/Documents/Notes/myfile.txt`. This command first creates the `Notes` directory (along with any necessary parent directories) and then creates the `myfile.txt` file in that directory. With this method, you can ensure that the directory exists before attempting to create the file, all while remaining in your current working directory. This approach streamlines your file management tasks and minimizes unnecessary directory navigation.