Linux Command Line Tools

Progress - Visual Progress for File Operations

  • GitHub - Xfennec/progress
  • Linux tool to show progress for cp, mv, dd, and other file operations
  • Formerly known as cv (Coreutils Viewer)
  • Provides visual feedback for long-running file operations

Progress Command Features

  • Real-time Monitoring: Shows current progress of running file operations
  • Multiple Process Support: Can monitor several operations simultaneously
  • Automatic Detection: Finds running file operations without manual specification
  • Detailed Information: Transfer rates, ETA, and completion percentage
  • Low Overhead: Minimal system resource usage

Supported Operations

  • cp (copy): File and directory copying operations
  • mv (move): File and directory move operations
  • dd: Low-level data copying and conversion
  • tar: Archive creation and extraction
  • gzip/gunzip: Compression and decompression
  • cat: File concatenation operations

Usage Examples

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# Monitor all running file operations
progress

# Monitor specific process by PID
progress -p 1234

# Show progress with specific update interval
progress -w 2

# Monitor only specific commands
progress -c cp

Learning Resources

Linux Handbook

  • Linux Handbook
  • Comprehensive learning resource for Linux users
  • Covers beginner to advanced Linux topics
  • Practical tutorials and explanations

Linux Handbook Content Areas

  • Basic Commands: Fundamental Linux command usage
  • File Management: File operations, permissions, and organization
  • System Administration: User management, services, and configuration
  • Shell Scripting: Bash scripting and automation
  • Networking: Network configuration and troubleshooting
  • Security: Linux security concepts and practices

Learning Approach

  • Hands-on Examples: Practical command examples with explanations
  • Progressive Difficulty: From basic concepts to advanced techniques
  • Real-world Scenarios: Practical applications and use cases
  • Reference Material: Quick lookup for specific commands and concepts

System Administration Benefits

Monitoring Long Operations

  • Large File Transfers: Monitor copying of large files or directories
  • Backup Operations: Track progress of backup and restore operations
  • Disk Imaging: Monitor dd operations for disk cloning or imaging
  • Archive Operations: Track tar archive creation or extraction

Troubleshooting and Planning

  • Performance Analysis: Understand transfer rates and bottlenecks
  • Time Estimation: Plan operations based on progress indicators
  • Resource Management: Monitor system load during file operations
  • User Experience: Provide feedback during long-running operations

Key Takeaways

  • Visual Feedback: Progress indicators significantly improve user experience for long operations
  • System Monitoring: Understanding what’s happening on your system is crucial for effective administration
  • Learning Resources: Comprehensive guides like Linux Handbook accelerate learning
  • Command Line Efficiency: Specialized tools can greatly improve command-line productivity
  • Open Source Tools: Community-developed tools often fill gaps in standard utilities
  • Practical Administration: Real-world system management benefits from monitoring and visibility tools

The progress command addresses a common frustration with command-line file operations - the lack of feedback during long-running tasks. Combined with comprehensive learning resources like Linux Handbook, it represents the ongoing evolution and improvement of the Linux command-line experience.