Overview
du (disk usage) summarizes the disk space used by specified files or directories. By default, it outputs in block units, but can be converted to a human-readable format using the -h option. It is commonly used to quickly grasp the total usage of a specific directory.
Key Features
- Reports disk usage of files and directories
- Calculates total usage including subdirectories
- Supports various output formats (block, K/M/G units)
- Used for diagnosing disk space problems
Key Options
The du command allows control over output format and calculation methods through various options.
Display and Summary
Scope and Filtering
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Description:
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Usage Examples
Various usage examples of the du command.
Check Total Usage of Current Directory
du -sh .Displays the total disk usage of the current directory in a human-readable summarized format.
Check Usage of a Specific Directory
du -sh /var/logDisplays the total disk usage of the specified directory (/var/log) in a human-readable summarized format.
Usage per Subdirectory (1 Level Deep)
du -h --max-depth=1 /homeDisplays the usage of each subdirectory (1 level deep) within the specified directory (/home) in a human-readable format.
Usage of All Files and Directories
du -ah /etcDisplays the usage of all files and directories within the specified directory (/etc) in a human-readable format.
Usage per Item in Current Directory
du -sh *Displays the summarized total usage for each file and directory within the current directory.
Tips & Considerations
Tips and points to consider for effective use of the du command.
Difference between du and df
Both du and df relate to disk usage, but they measure different things.
- du measures the actual disk space used by files and directories (the space occupied by files within the file system).
- df reports the remaining space on the entire file system (available space relative to the total capacity of the file system).
- The results of the two commands may differ due to factors like deleted but still open files (where inodes remain but data blocks are not yet freed) or reserved space on the file system (allocated for root user, etc.).
Performance Considerations
When running du on very large directories or file systems, consider the following:
- Running du on a large number of files or in a deep directory structure can take a significant amount of time to complete.
- Executing du on remotely mounted file systems (NFS, SMB, etc.) may lead to performance degradation due to network latency.