inode query..

[Ed Greshko]

Mulley, Nikhil wrote:
> Hi All, I have a doubt here .. I have created a file and noted its
> inode number and then edited the file with vi, I am amused that inode
> entry got changed.

> Now, I do not understand why this inode entries get changed with Vi
> but not cat , can any one please tell me why is it so..

Because you "edited" the file.

If you were to vi the file....and quit without changes/editing then the 
inode will not change.  In the processing of editing vi actually makes a 
copy of the file and edits the copy until you quit.  When you quit, I'm 
guessing you are using shift-zz, vi "moves" the copy in place of the 
original.

-- 
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something
completely foolproof was to underestimate the ingenuity of complete
fools."

--Ford Prefect in "Mostly Harmless".