The sync command is used to force changed content to be written to disk immediately. It is particularly useful when you need to ensure that all data has been written to disk before shutting down or rebooting the system. The sync command is often used in conjunction with other commands, such as shutdown or reboot, to ensure that all data has been written to disk before the system is powered off.
Overview
The sync command has a very simple syntax and is very easy to use. Simply type sync at the command prompt and press enter. The sync command will then force all modified data to be written to disk immediately.
sync
The sync command is typically used in scripts that automate system shutdown or reboot processes. For example, the following script will shut down the system after ensuring that all data has been written to disk:
#!/bin/bash
sync
shutdown -h now
Options
The sync command has no options.
Troubleshooting tips
The sync command is a very simple command and is unlikely to cause any issues. However, if you experience problems with the command, there are a few things you can try:
- Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to run the command.
- Check that the disk is not full or read-only.
- Try running the command with
sudoor as the root user.
Notes
- The
synccommand is not a replacement for proper backup procedures. It is only intended to ensure that all data has been written to disk before the system is powered off. - The
synccommand is included in all major Linux distributions and is installed by default.