Quickly reveal inode details, timestamps and permissions for any file using the stat utility. 16.11.2025 | reading time: 2 min Curious what lives behind a filename? The `stat` command shows low-level file metadata: size, inode, permission bits, timestamps and more, so he can diagnose permissions, check modification times or confirm filesystem features. Hands-on example Try this sequence in a terminal to create a small file and inspect its metadata: ```bash $ touch sample.txt $ echo "Hello" > sample.txt $ stat sample.txt File: sample.txt Size: 6 Blocks: 8 IO Block: 4096 regular file Device: 803h/2051d Inode: 393224 Links: 1 Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 1000/username) Gid: ( 1000/groupname) Access: 2025-11-16 12:34:56.000000000 +0000 Modify: 2025-11-16 12:34:56.000000000 +0000 Change: 2025-11-16 12:34:56.000000000 +0000 Birth: - ``` Beyond the basics Use `stat` to format output, compare timestamps or query special fields: `stat -c` customizes output, `stat --format` extracts specific items and `stat -f` reports filesystem-level metadata; combine these in scripts to audit files, detect stale data or verify migrations. Useful checks in the field When troubleshooting he will often check timestamps to find recent edits, inspect the inode number to detect hard links, and read the permission mask to spot ACL-related issues; for birth time support remember that not all filesystems or kernels populate that field. Related utilities worth knowing `ls` gives quick listings, `file` identifies file types and magic, and `getfacl` shows extended ACLs; together with `stat` these tools let him build a complete picture of file identity and access control. Final note Mastering `stat` pays off in debugging and automation; keep exploring filesystem tools and consider deepening skills for certifications like CompTIA Linux+ or LPIC-1 with focused preparation at bitsandbytes.academy. Join Bits & Bytes Academy First class LINUX exam preparation. filesystem utilities troubleshooting scripting
