How to update a file in HDFS

Question

I know that HDFS is write once and read many times.
Suppose if i want to update a file in HDFS is there any way to do it ?

Thankyou in advance !

Answer 1

Option1:

If you just want to append to an existing file

1. echo "" | hdfs dfs -appendToFile - /user/hduser/myfile.txt OR

2. hdfs dfs -appendToFile - /user/hduser/myfile.txt and then type the text on the terminal. Once you are done typing then hit 'Ctrl+D'

Option2:

Get the original file from HDFS to the local filesystem, modify it and then put it back on HDFS.

1. hdfs dfs -get /user/hduser/myfile.txt

2. vi myfile.txt #or use any other tool and modify it

3. hdfs dfs -put -f myfile.txt /user/hduser/myfile.txt