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cfdisk is a Linux operating system utility used to view, add, delete, and alter hard-disk partitions. This type of utility is called a partition editor. It is part of the util-linux package of Linux utility programs. Originally written in 1992, the current version is 2.12r. cfdisk is curses-based and presents the user with a monochromatic, text-only, full-screen presentation. If invoked without arguments, cfdisk attempts to read the current partition table from the disk drive and present its findings.
Creating, deleting, and altering partitions, getting help, exiting the program, and all other actions are accomplished by moving a reverse-video highlight bar using the cursor arrow keys.
When satisfied with the results of your edits, use the write command to save the updated partition information. Until write is executed, nothing is written to the disk. cfdisk is functionally similar to fdisk, but with a more pleasing user interface. Although the curses-based interface is intended to make cfdisk easier to use, many system administrators prefer fdisk because it doesn't depend on terminal-control features that may not be present or properly configured.
Below is a screen capture from the most recent version of cfdisk immediately after start-up.
The reverse-video highlight used to select partitions and commands is not shown.
cfdisk 2.12r
Disk Drive: /dev/sda
Size: 81964302336 bytes, 81.9 GB
Heads: 255 Sectors per Track: 63 Cylinders: 9964
Name Flags Part Type FS Type [Label] Size (MB)
-
sda2 Boot Primary Linux ext3 106.93
Primary Linux swap / Solaris 2006.97
sda3 Primary Linux ext3 79842.80
[Bootable] [ Delete ] [ Help ] [Maximize] [ Print ]
[ Quit ] [ Type ] [ Units ] [ Write ]
Toggle bootable flag of the current partition
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