ready.flag does not exist yet.
Create an empty ready.flag in the current directory.
Which command is appropriate?
touch creates a missing file with no contents. For an existing file it updates timestamps by default.
Detailed explanation
mkdir ready.flagIncorrect. mkdir creates a directory, not a regular file.
Incorrect. mkdir creates a directory, not a regular file.
cat ready.flagIncorrect. cat attempts to read the file and does not create it as requested.
Incorrect. cat attempts to read the file and does not create it as requested.
rm ready.flagIncorrect. rm removes a file rather than creating one.
Incorrect. rm removes a file rather than creating one.
touch ready.flagCorrect. touch creates ready.flag as an empty file when it is absent.
Correct. touch creates ready.flag as an empty file when it is absent.
Try it yourself
An example you can run in a temporary verification environment.
rm -f /tmp/kp-ready.flag && touch /tmp/kp-ready.flag && test ! -s /tmp/kp-ready.flag && echo EMPTY && rm /tmp/kp-ready.flagExpected result
EMPTYKey points
- Create a missing empty file
- Existing files receive new timestamps
- touch does not add content
Notes
- Environment: GNU coreutils 9.x
- Command output formatting can vary slightly by distribution or tool version.
- Run the example in a temporary directory or process when possible.
Foundation review
Read the scope first
Check whether the command acts on the current shell, a new process, an existing process, or a file.
Verify the observable result
Use the supplied command and compare the output with the expected result.