Append vs Truncate

Truncate \>

1. Create specified file if it does not exist.
2. Truncate (remove file’s content)
3. Write to file

$ echo "first line" > /tmp/lines
$ echo "second line" > /tmp/lines

$ cat /tmp/lines
second line

Append >>

1. Create specified file if it does not exist.
2. Append file (writing at end of file).

# Overwrite existing file
$ echo "first line" > /tmp/lines

# Append a second line
$ echo "second line" >> /tmp/lines

$ cat /tmp/lines
first line
second line