MacOS sum command

The MacOS sum command is used to calculate checksums and counts from files. By default, it computes and prints CRC-32 checksums and the total number of blocks in the file. Users can also specify different checksum algorithms to be used. The sum command is helpful for verifying file integrity and detecting any changes that may have occurred. It is a simple yet effective tool for ensuring data security and accuracy in file management tasks.

sum Syntax:

sum [file]

Options:

Option	Description
-h	Display help for the command
-s	Display only the sum

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
file	File to calculate the sum for

Caution

Exercise caution when using the sum command, as it calculates the checksum for the specified file and the output may be sensitive. Make sure to specify the correct file to avoid unintentional data loss.

Calculate the sum of numbers in a text file

sum numbers.txt

Calculate the sum of all numbers in the specified text file.

Calculate the sum of multiple numbers

sum 10 20 30

Calculate the sum of the specified numbers.

Calculate the sum of numbers in a column of a CSV file

sum -c 2 data.csv

Calculate the sum of all numbers in the specified column of a CSV file.

Calculate the sum of numbers in standard input

echo "10 20 30" | sum

Calculate the sum of numbers provided through standard input.

Tip

When using the sum command in MacOS, make sure to specify the correct options and values to get the desired output. Take note of any differences in behavior compared to other operating systems when using this command.

How do I use sum in MacOS?

To use the sum command in MacOS, execute the following command:

sum file.txt

What is the purpose of the sum command in MacOS?

The sum command in MacOS is used to calculate checksums and the total number of bytes in a file.

How can I display the checksum and the number of bytes using sum in MacOS?

You can display the checksum and the number of bytes of a file by running the following command:

sum file.txt

Can I calculate the checksum for multiple files at once with the sum command in MacOS?

Yes, you can calculate the checksum for multiple files simultaneously by providing the file names as arguments. Here is an example:

sum file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt

How do I display only the checksum value without the filename using the sum command in MacOS?

To display only the checksum value without the filename, use the following command:

sum -s file.txt

Is there a way to display the checksum value in a format other than the default CRC32 using sum in MacOS?

Yes, you can specify a different algorithm to calculate the checksum value. For example, you can use the SHA-256 algorithm like this:

shasum -a 256 file.txt

Can I verify the checksum of a file against a provided value using the sum command in MacOS?

Yes, you can verify the checksum of a file against a specified value by running the following command:

echo "<checksum>  file.txt" | sum -c

Applications of the sum command

• Calculating checksums for files
• Verifying file integrity
• Identifying duplicate files
• Verifying the integrity of downloaded files