Redirection Operators Explained

Updated

October 31, 2026

Redirection Operators Explained

# Overwrite stdout: >
echo "text" > file.txt

# Append stdout: >>
echo "text" >> file.txt

# Redirect stderr to stdout: 2>&1
command > output.log 2>&1

# Bash shorthand redirect both stdout and stderr: &>
command &> output.log

# Read stdin from file: <
grep "root" < /etc/passwd

# Open file for read/write on FD: <>
exec 3<> /tmp/scratch.dat