In the command 'll asdfkjsdfhk > file.txt 2>&1', which streams are written to file.txt?

• A. stdout only
• B. stderr only
• C. stdout and stderr
• D. none

Answer: (C)

Redirecting stdout and duplicating stderr to the same destination. In this command, stdout is sent to file.txt with the '>' operator, which opens file.txt for writing and truncates it. The construct 2>&1 redirects the standard error (stderr) to wherever stdout is currently going. Since stdout has been redirected to file.txt, stderr is also written to file.txt. That's why both streams end up in the file. If the order were reversed ('2>&1 > file.txt'), you would typically end up with stdout in the file while stderr remains on the terminal.