Duf, short for Disk Usage/Free Utility, is a command-line tool that provides a convenient way to check and visualize disk usage and free space on a computer or server. It helps users understand how their storage is allocated and identify areas where disk space is being consumed.
Here are the key features and aspects of Duf:
- Disk usage information: Duf displays detailed information about disk usage, including the total size of the disk, the amount of used space, and the amount of free space available. It also provides a breakdown of disk usage by file system, showing the usage for each mounted disk or partition.
- File system visualization: Duf presents disk usage information in a visual format, allowing users to quickly grasp the distribution of space across directories and files. It displays a tree-like representation of directories, showing the size of each directory and the cumulative size of its contents. This visualization helps users identify large directories or files that may be consuming a significant amount of disk space.
- Color-coded output: Duf uses colors to highlight different types of files and directories, making it easier to differentiate between various elements in the disk usage visualization. For example, directories and files can be color-coded based on their sizes, allowing users to identify large items at a glance.
- Sorting and filtering options: Duf provides sorting options to order the disk usage information based on different criteria, such as file size or last modification time. It also offers filtering capabilities to exclude certain directories or focus on specific file types, enabling users to narrow down their analysis and concentrate on relevant data.
- Lightweight and fast: Duf is designed to be lightweight and fast, making it suitable for both personal computers and servers. It performs efficient disk scanning and provides real-time information without significant impact on system resources.
- Cross-platform support: Duf is compatible with various operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows. This cross-platform support allows users to utilize Duf on different machines and environments.
- Command-line efficiency: Duf is a command-line tool, providing a simple and efficient interface for disk usage analysis. It can be easily incorporated into scripts or integrated with other command-line tools, allowing users to automate disk space monitoring and incorporate disk usage information into their workflows.
Duf is a useful tool for monitoring disk usage and understanding how disk space is being utilized on a system. With its intuitive visual representation and detailed information, users can quickly identify disk space bottlenecks, optimize storage allocation, and ensure efficient usage of available disk space.
Please note that Duf may have specific command-line options and behavior that can be explored through the tool’s documentation or by using the built-in help command (e.g., “duf –help”).
duf Command Examples
1. List accessible devices:
# duf
2. List everything (such as pseudo, duplicate or inaccessible file systems):
# duf --all
3. Only show specified devices or mount points:
# duf /path/to/directory1 /path/to/directory2 ...
4. Sort the output by a specified criteria:
# duf --sort [size|used|avail|usage]