# Pseudo devices

Last edited: 2025-04-09

Pseudo devices

Pseudo devices are not back by real hardware however offer virtual interfaces to the OS . They offer functionality that is useful for testing, debugging and interacting with the OS . Examples of some devices in linux are:

  • /dev/null: All written data here is discarded.
  • /dev/zero: Provided an infinite stream of zero-values when read.
  • /dev/random: Generates a cryptographically secure random data.
  • /dev/urandom: Generates non-blocking random data.
  • /dev/full: Simulates a full disk generating an error when getting written to.