in linux you can use the evil bird emoticon (:>) to destroy files, eg `:> important_document.txt`

the bird will eat the file and leave it completely empty!

@rebane2001 hmm I suppose thats because its writing nothing into the file but I dont understand the reason for the : (I mean yeah it does make the face but from a commands perspective I mean)

Id assume it works without?

Im guessing
: is ignored or perhaps written into the file?

@ChaosKitsune it's a bash builtin
$ help :
:: :
Null command.

No effect; the command does nothing.

Exit Status:
Always succeeds.

@rebane2001