[unix] How to create a new file in unix?

How do I create a new file in a different directory? If the file exists it should also create a new file.

I am using the command:

Touch workdirectory/filename.txt

This question is related to unix

The answer is


The command is lowercase: touch filename.

Keep in mind that touch will only create a new file if it does not exist! Here's some docs for good measure: http://unixhelp.ed.ac.uk/CGI/man-cgi?touch

If you always want an empty file, one way to do so would be to use:

echo "" > filename