What is the complete output redirection reference table for Linux?

Question

Accepted Answer

One direction (>) for stdout, 2> for stderr, >> to append, and 2>&1 to fold stderr into wherever stdout currently points.

* The output-redirection operators at a glance. *

Syntax
Meaning

> file
stdout → file (overwrite/truncate)

1> file
same, with explicit FD 1

>> file
stdout → file (append)

2> file
stderr → file (overwrite)

2>> file
stderr → file (append)

2> /dev/null
throw errors away

> f1 2> f2
stdout→f1, stderr→f2 (separate)

> file 2>&1
both streams → one file (overwrite)

>> file 2>&1
both streams → one file (append)

The one rule people get wrong — order matters, left to right. 2>&1 means "make stderr go wherever stdout is pointing right now", so stdout must be redirected first:
utility > output.log 2>&1   # CORRECT: > sends stdout to the file,
                            #          THEN 2>&1 copies that target to stderr
utility 2>&1 > output.log   # WRONG: stderr is aimed at the console (stdout's
                            #        current target), THEN stdout moves to the
                            #        file — errors still hit your screen

Think of 2>&1 as a snapshot, not a permanent link: it duplicates stdout's current destination at that moment in the line.
Tip: The shorthand &> file (bash) does both at once and sidesteps the ordering trap.
Go deeper:

Bash Reference: Redirections — > >> 2> and why 2>&1 ordering matters.

Syntax	Meaning
`> file`	stdout → file (overwrite/truncate)
`1> file`	same, with explicit FD 1
`>> file`	stdout → file (append)
`2> file`	stderr → file (overwrite)
`2>> file`	stderr → file (append)
`2> /dev/null`	throw errors away
`> f1 2> f2`	stdout→f1, stderr→f2 (separate)
`> file 2>&1`	both streams → one file (overwrite)
`>> file 2>&1`	both streams → one file (append)