File Operation Patterns
Safe Patterns
# Create directory tree (idempotent)
mkdir -p path/to/nested/dir
# Copy preserving permissions
cp -rp src/ dst/
# Atomic write (prevents partial reads)
tmpfile=$(mktemp "${target}.XXXXXX")
echo "$content" > "$tmpfile"
mv "$tmpfile" "$target"
# Safe deletion (guard variables)
[ -n "$DIR" ] && [ "$DIR" != "/" ] && rm -rf "$DIR"
# Incremental sync
rsync -av src/ dst/Anti-Patterns
| Don't | Do | |-------|------| | rm -rf $DIR unguarded | Guard with [ -n "$DIR" ] | | Write directly to target | Write to temp, then mv | | Assume dir exists | mkdir -p first | | Ignore permissions | cp -p or explicit chmod |