Interview Q&A / Linux & Shell

1. How do you watch a log file grow in real time?

   Use tail -f file to print the last lines and keep following new lines as they are written. tail -F also survives log rotation by reopening the file when it is replaced, and Ctrl+C stops it.

   BeginnerQuick answer1 min read
2. What is stored in /var, and why does it keep growing?

   /var holds variable data that changes while the system runs: logs, mail spools, package caches, databases and print queues. It grows because logs and caches accumulate, which is why a full /var is a common cause of a server misbehaving.

   BeginnerQuick answer1 min read