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truncate(1) on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs

truncate is not in the Solnix base system; install pkgs.solnix.coreutils to get the GNU coreutils truncate, which is the same program as on Linux. FreeBSD's truncate differs: it has no long options, no -o IO-block meaning, and adds -d/-l hole-punching.

The manual pages

What Solnix runs

Not installed by default: add pkgs.solnix.coreutils. The bundle shows no other illumos variants and does not say whether the base system ships any other truncate. The published page is GNU coreutils 9.7.

Differences

Compared withTopicWhat differs
Linuxsame programThe Solnix page (pkgs.solnix.coreutils) and the Linux page are the same GNU coreutils truncate. Both have the same synopsis, options and SIZE syntax. The Solnix page is from coreutils 9.7; the Linux page text is from a later build.
Source: Solnix truncate(1) SYNOPSIS, OPTIONS; Linux truncate(1) SYNOPSIS, OPTIONS
FreeBSD-o meaningOn Solnix and Linux, -o treats SIZE as a number of IO blocks instead of bytes. On FreeBSD, -o takes an offset in bytes and only works together with -d. A script using -o behaves differently on FreeBSD.
Source: Solnix truncate(1) -o, --io-blocks; FreeBSD truncate(1) -o offset
FreeBSDhole punching (-d, -l)FreeBSD has -d with -l length and optional -o offset to zero a region, deallocating space if the file system supports hole-punching. The Solnix page documents no -d or -l.
Source: FreeBSD truncate(1) SYNOPSIS, -d, -l; Solnix truncate(1) OPTIONS
FreeBSDlong optionsSolnix has --size, --reference, --no-create, --io-blocks, --help and --version. The FreeBSD page documents only the short options -c, -r, -s, -d, -o and -l.
Source: Solnix truncate(1) OPTIONS; FreeBSD truncate(1) SYNOPSIS
FreeBSD-s is required on FreeBSD syntaxFreeBSD requires exactly one of -r, -s and -d. The Solnix synopsis is only 'truncate OPTION... FILE...' and the page does not say that exactly one of them is required.
Source: FreeBSD truncate(1) DESCRIPTION (Exactly one of the -r, -s and -d options); Solnix truncate(1) SYNOPSIS
FreeBSDsize modifiersSolnix accepts the prefixes + - < > / %. FreeBSD documents only + - % /. The < (at most) and > (at least) prefixes are not in the FreeBSD page.
Source: Solnix truncate(1) SIZE modifying characters; FreeBSD truncate(1) -s
FreeBSDsize suffixesSolnix accepts K,M,G,T,P,E,Z,Y,R,Q (powers of 1024), KB,MB,... (powers of 1000) and KiB-style names. FreeBSD documents only K, M, G, T, in upper or lower case.
Source: Solnix truncate(1) SIZE argument; FreeBSD truncate(1) DESCRIPTION (suffixed with one of K, M, G or T)
FreeBSD-c and error reportingFreeBSD states that -c does not treat a missing file as an error: no message and no effect on exit value. FreeBSD also continues with the remaining files after a failure. The Solnix page does not describe either behaviour or its exit status.
Source: FreeBSD truncate(1) -c, EXIT STATUS; Solnix truncate(1) -c, --no-create
FreeBSD-s minus behaviourFreeBSD says a - prefix reduces length by no more than the given bytes, to a minimum of zero. The Solnix page just says '-' reduces by, with no stated minimum.
Source: FreeBSD truncate(1) -s; Solnix truncate(1) SIZE modifying characters

Standards

  • POSIX: truncate is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
  • FreeBSD: The truncate utility conforms to no known standards.

Writing portable scripts

  • For a portable script use only -c, -r and -s with a plain byte count or the K/M/G/T suffixes; avoid -o, long options and the < and > prefixes, which FreeBSD does not document.
  • Do not assume truncate exists on a default Solnix system: check for it or install pkgs.solnix.coreutils.

Every difference here is taken from the manual pages linked above: Solnix's published page, Linux (man-pages and the GNU and util-linux manuals), FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD. Each row names its source. Where a manual is silent, this page is too. Compiled 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Mail hackers@lists.solnix.io.