LFCS Essential Commands Practice Question
A user needs to see the contents of a gzip-compressed file 'data.txt.gz' without decompressing it. Which command is appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse `zcat` with `gunzip` or assume `gzcat` is the correct command, but the LFCS exam expects knowledge of the standard `zcat` utility for viewing compressed files without decompression.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
zcat data.txt.gz
The `zcat` command reads a gzip-compressed file and outputs its decompressed content to stdout without modifying the original file. This allows the user to view the contents of 'data.txt.gz' without permanently decompressing it.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
gunzip data.txt.gz
Why it's wrong here
Decompresses the file and removes .gz.
- ✓
zcat data.txt.gz
Why this is correct
Displays compressed file contents without decompressing.
- ✗
./data.txt.gz
Why it's wrong here
Attempts to execute the file.
- ✗
gzcat data.txt.gz
Why it's wrong here
Not a standard command on most Linux distributions.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LFCS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Linux Foundation certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LFCS exam.